Sunday, April 8, 1973
Stadio Sant’Elia, Cagliari
Cagliari Lazio 0-1
By beating Cagliari away, the Biancocelesti are now second just three points behind Milan
The Biancocelesti started badly in Coppa Italia losing three games out of four and were eliminated. But in Serie A it was another story. At the end of the first half of the season they were joint third with Inter but just one point behind leaders Milan and Juventus. They had also beaten Roma away.
The second half of the season had opened with two draws and a loss but since then they were on a roll, having won five consecutive games (including the derby). They were currently joint second with Juventus, three points behind Milan.
The match
Lazio started the game well and took control of the match thanks to Mario Frustalupi and Luciano Re Cecconi. But it was the hosts who had the first chance in the 11th minute. With Re Cecconi out receiving medication, Cagliari took advantage and on a free kick Gigi Riva hit the woodwork.
Renzo Garlaschelli missed a chance on a header in the 22nd minute and in the 31st there was a clear foul on Franco Nanni in the box ignored by the ref. Five minutes later the Biancocelesti scored. Pierpaolo Manservisi made a back-heel pass to Gigi Martini on the right who crossed into the area. Pierluigi Cera missed the ball, completely surprising Giorgio Chinaglia who did not expect it and hence did not attempt a shot. But Garlaschelli appeared out of nowhere and scored.
Cagliari at this point started to slowly take over, but it was Chinaglia who in the 40th minute had the chance to double the lead but his shot went into the stands.
In the second half, Lazio had a number of chances on the counter attack. In the 61st minute Re Cecconi to Chinaglia who passed to Frustalupi all alone in front of Enrico Albertosi. His shot went over the crossbar. In the 65th minute Nanni tried one of his classic shots from outside the box but the Cagliari goalkeeper managed to parry into corner. In the 69th minute the first real danger for the Biancoceleste defence. Cera crossed high in the box, Riva and Luigi Polentes went for the ball together and what came out was a strange lob which almost fooled Felice Pulici, but the Lazio goalkeeper saved into corner. In the 75th minute Albertosi saved a powerful Chinaglia shot with his fists. In the 86th minute Pulici missed the catch on a cross, Riva bicycle kicked and Pino Wilson saved on the line. A minute later Sergio Gori tried a shot from the penalty spot but Pulici saved again.
Another Lazio win, the sixth in a row. Milan were warned,
Who played for Cagliari
Albertosi, Lamagni, Mancin, Cera, Niccolai, Tomasini, Nené, Roffi, Gori S., Brugnera, Riva L.
Substitutes: Copparoni, Lombardi B.
Manager: E. Fabbri
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Polentes, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, Manservisi
Manager: Maestrelli
Referee: Motta
Goal: 36’ Garlaschelli
Sources
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