Game 24, Serie B
Sunday, March 13, 1988
Stadio Giovanni Zini, Cremona
Cremonese Lazio 0-0
An unadventurous Lazio wanted a draw and got it in uneventful game
So far, Lazio were in the heart of the promotion race. The Biancocelesti had won 8 (including Cremonese 1-0), drawn 11 and lost 4, so on 27 points. They had started off reasonably well (14 points in first 12 matches) but then had seven consecutive draws (not the end of the world but not promotion pace). They had then won three out of the last four and were back on track. Lazio were joint 3rd, one point ahead of Bari 5th and two of Lecce and Catanzaro joint 6th. A week earlier the Biancocelesti had beaten Modena 3-0 at home.
Cremonese had won 7, drawn 13 and lost 3, so on 27 points just like Lazio, in 3rd place.
Today's game was a promotion clash.
The match
A nice, sunny day in the beautiful town of Cremona brought 10,000 spectators to the small Zini ground.
Lazio without Giancarlo Camolese and Antonio Rizzolo, but Cremonese were worse off and without defenders Filippo Citterio, Ivan Rizzardi and Mario Montorfano, midfielder Marco Merlo and striker Alviero Chiorri was just back from injury.
Lazio made it clear from the start they would happily settle for a point. Their tactical formation was defensive and their approach cautious.
Cremonese attacked but were never really dangerous. Their players who were supposed to cause Lazio problems had an off day, in particular Attilio Lombardo. The two Grigiorossi forwards, Chiorri and Marco Nicoletti were constantly beaten by Lazio's defenders.
The home side were reduced to trying shots from the long range which were always off target.
Silvano Martina had to be on his toes on various crosses and corners but otherwise was unthreatened. He only had to make one save and it was a straightforward one on a Chiorri freekick, far too central and lame.
Lazio, however, did even less, but that seemed to be their game plan. Their only half chance came for Paolo Monelli but he messed up his first touch on an inviting cross and lost control of the ball.
The game was only livened up by the numerous bookings, six in the end, probably excessive for the bland level of the game. Massimo Piscedda accumulated two bookings and in the 78th minute was sent for an early shower. The remaining 21 players however were already looking forward to theirs and did very little to liven the game up.
One would have expected a final furious Cremonese onslaught but it never arrived and Lazio's defence stood firm and brought home the desired point.
Lazio were more pleased than the Lombard "Violini" who confirmed their scoring difficulties, only 19 goals in 24 matches but still had the best defence with 11 goals conceded.
Who played for Cremonese
Rampulla, Garzilli, Gualco, Piccioni (85' Pelosi), Torri, Galletti, Lombardo, Avanzi, Nicoletti, Bencina, Chiorri
Substitutes: Violini, Baragno, Paini, Feliciani
Manager: Mazzia
Who played for Lazio
Martina, Marino, Beruatto, Pin, Gregucci, Piscedda, Caso, Acerbis, Monelli, Muro (79' Galderisi), Savino (89' Brunetti)
Manager: Fascetti
Referee: Luci
Sources
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