Game 11 Serie B
Sunday, December 15, 1968
Stadio La Fiorita, Cesena
Cesena Lazio 0-4
By far a perfect performance by Lazio but the result says 4-0. A second half surge puts Lazio top of the table. The Serie A dream is on.
Lazio were considered one of the favourites for promotion. They had 12 points, 2 behind leaders Genoa.
The match
A freezing cold day, threatening snow and a heavy, muddy pitch welcomed Lazio in Cesena.
The first half was almost as depressing as the weather. The few chances worthy of note were: an excellent move by Ferruccio Mazzola who skipped past three defenders but saw his shot blocked by defender Alberto Giacomin, a free kick again by Mazzola punched away by goalkeeper Paolo Cimpiel and for Cesena two hopeful shots from outside the area which went wide of keeper Rosario Di Vincenzo's posts.
The second half didn't seem to promise anything much better. After the first 20 minutes the only half chance had been a shot by Giampiero Ceccarelli for the hosts. It all changed in the 68th minute when Lazio somewhat out of the blue took the lead. A cross by Piero Cucchi was not cleared properly by Cimpiel and Giuseppe Massa was on hand to pounce and put Lazio ahead.
Cesena didn't manage to change gear and could only muster a long-range attempt by Ceccarelli. Lazio soon doubled their lead again with the complicity of Cimpiel. Massa did well to get past two defenders but his subsequent shot was far from unstoppable and the keeper should have done better.
At this point Lazio were in the driving seat and totally in control. They had another opportunity with Carlo Soldo before, with only 5 minutes left on the clock, Giuliano Fortunato made it 3-0. There was no luck involved however, with Fortunato fending off a defender and scoring with a powerful right-footed strike. Cesena were finished and gave away another goal in the dying seconds when Elio Rinero decided to go solo and, after an end to end burst, slotted the ball past hapless Cimpiel.
A big away win for Lazio even if the score line was flattering, considering the first 65 minutes. The Roman Biancocelesti went top of the table thanks to Spal defeating Genoa. On their return from Romagna, Lazio were welcomed back to Rome train station by hundreds of festive fans waving flags and champagne. Things were looking up.
Who played for Cesena
Cimpiel, Giacomin, Ceccarelli, V. Zanetti, Spimi, Leoni, Corradi, Bertani, Di Giacomo, Capecchi, Stacchini
Substitutes: Zanier, Nimis
Manager: Meucci
Who played for Lazio
Substitutes: Fioravanti, Governato
DT: Lorenzo
Manager: Lovati
Referee: Giunti
Goals: 68' Massa, 74' Massa, 85' Fortunato, 90' Rinero
Sources
Komentarze