Lazio denied at death by Napoli
A late goal by Juliano snatches a point but all in all it was a fair result
The season so far
The previous season had been a positive one for Lazio. Under Luís Vinicio and helped by rising youth sector stars, Bruno Giordano, Lionello Manfredonia and Andrea Agostinelli, the Biancocelesti had arrived 5th in Serie A.
It had also been a sad year with the deaths of two Scudetto heroes: manager Tommaso Maestrelli, on the 2nd of December 1976 and midfielder Luciano Re Cecconi on the 18th of January 1977, in a possible prank gone wrong but more likely just a tragic misunderstanding (Lazio's "Angelo Biondo" was shot to death in a jewellery shop).
This year Lazio had a pretty much unchanged squad. In had come midfielder Luigi Boccolini (Catanzaro) and forward Sergio Clerici (Bologna) while leaving were midfielders Maurizio Montesi (Avellino - loan) and Fernando Viola (Bologna - loan). The main novelty in the team was in goal where Claudio Garella had so far always been preferred to Scudetto hero Felice Pulici, who then left for Monza in November (he would be back). Another Scudetto winner Luigi Polentes had also left in the autumn for Modena.
In the Coppa Italia in August Lazio had won two (Monza 2-1 and Ternana 4-1) and lost two (Varese 1-2 and Bologna 0-1) and been eliminated.
Lazio were also out of the UEFA Cup, after beating Boavista 5-1 on aggregate, they lost to Lens 6-2 on aggregate (collapsing in extra-time in France).
So far in Serie A Lazio had played 9, they had lost the opener 1-2 away to Genoa but then, after two 1-1 draws, beaten Juventus 3-0 at the Olimpico. Since then the Biancocelesti had won 1 (Pescara 2-1 at home), drawn 3 (Inter 1-1 away, Foggia 1-1 at home and the derby 0-0) and lost 1 (Vicenza 1-2 away). Lazio had 9 points.
Napoli had finished 7th the previous season under Bruno Pesaola. Both games against Lazio had been draws. The Azzurri had reached the semi-finals of the Cup Winners Cup but lost to Anderlecht 1-2 on aggregate. Top scorer was Beppe Savoldi with 17 goals (16 in A).
This season Napoli had a new manager, Gianni Di Marzio. The main new signings were keeper Massimo Mattolini (Fiorentina), defender Moreno Ferrario (Varese), midfielders Livio Pin (Perugia), Maurizio Restelli (Fiorentina), Pellegrino Valente (Sampdoria) plus forward Antonio Capone (Avellino).
Leaving were keeper Pietro Carmignani (Fiorentina), defenders Tarcisio Burgnich (retiring), Giovanni Vavassori (Atalanta), midfielders Salvatore Esposito (Verona), Andrea Orlandini (Fiorentina) plus forward Walter Speggiorin (Perugia).
In Coppa Italia, Napoli had got through the first group phase in August/ September, winning all four matches (Catanzaro 2-0, Avellino 4-0 at home and Palermo 3-2, Vicenza 2-1 away.
In Serie A, after nine games the Partenopei had 10 points, one more than Lazio. They had won 4 (Pescara 3-1, Roma 2-0, Perugia 3-2 and Verona 3-0), drawn 2 (Genoa 0-0 and Atalanta 1-1) and lost 3 (Juventus 1-2, Inter 0-1 and Torino 0-1).
Today's game, between two similar teams, was open to any result.
The match: Sunday, December 11, 1977, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A sunny December day in Rome for this centre-south derby and a crowd of just over 50,000 at the Olimpico.
Lazio were without four players: Paolo Ammoniaci, Roberto Badiani, Vincenzo D'Amico and Gigi Martini. They were replaced by Dario Pighin, Luigi Boccolini, Totó Lopez and Pietro Ghedin. Napoli at the last minute had to do without Livio Pin, replaced by former Lazio, Giuseppe Massa.
The game was very tight from the start with both sides very cautious. Not much happened in the first half as the defences systematically got the better of the attacks and there was a lack of urgency in both teams. There was basically one chance each. For Lazio, on a Clerici cross, Mattolini had to dive to anticipate Giordano, while for Napoli a Massa-Savoldi one -two was then finished weakly by the former Lazio midfielder. Lazio had a few corners but nothing more and the first half petered out. Lazio 0 Napoli 0, a fair reflection on the proceedings so far.
For the second half Lazio replaced a strangely subdued Giordano with Renzo Garlaschelli. Lazio livened up slightly and attacked with more continuity. In the 51st minute Mattolini made a reflex save on a Pietro Ghedin effort and a few minutes later a bad back pass by Pellegrino Valente gave Clerici an opening but the keeper was quicker than the 36- year -old Brazilian nicknamed "Gringo".
In the 71st minute Garella was finally called into action on a Moreno Ferrario header.
Lazio went into the lead three minutes later. In the 74th minute Agostinelli, going towards the right by-line, fired a low, flat cross which passed a series of players in the area and reached Garlaschelli on the other side, Garlasca made no mistake with his right foot. Lazio 1 Napoli 0.
At this point, Napoli were forced to attack and threw on forward Antonio Capone, for midfielder Massa. They were never really dangerous until two minutes from time. In the 88th minute the Azzurri crossed into the area with Valente, Savoldi tried a shot but sliced it and the ball came back to Valente on the right, he squared it into the middle where Antonio Juliano stretched and beat Garella with a low right foot. Lazio 1 Napoli 1. The approximately 15,000 Neapolitans predictably went crazy.
There was no time for either side to go for a winner and the game ended a 1-1 draw. The second half had been better but it was by no means a vintage game. A draw was probably a fair result but Lazio were punished just as were starting to see the victory in sight.
Who played for Lazio
Garella, Pighin, Ghedin, Wilson, Manfredonia, Cordova, Agostinelli, Clerici, Giordano (46' Garlaschelli), Lopez, Boccolini
Substitutes: Avagliano, Pivotto
Manager: Vinicio
Who played for Napoli
Mattolini, Bruscolotti, Valente, Restelli, Ferrario, Stanzione, Massa (75' Capone), Juliano, Savoldi, Vinazzani, Chiarugi
Substitutes: Favaro, La Palma
Manager: Di Marzio
Referee: Gussoni
Goals: 75' Garlaschelli, 88' Juliano
What happened next
Lazio finished 10th. A week later they won 1-0 away in Florence but were too inconsistent to get back into Europe. The Biancocelesti had some good wins, Milan 2-0 and Inter 1-0 both at home, but generally struggled. Vinicio was replaced by Bob Lovati after 24 matches and Lazio avoided relegation worries by winning three out of the last five matches. Both derbies with Roma ended in draws. Top scorer was Bruno Giordano with 19 goals (12 in A).
Napoli finished 6th (UEFA Cup). A week later they thrashed Foggia 5-0 but their best result was beating Milan 1-0 away while in the return match with Lazio they won 4-3. Top scorer was Beppe Savoldi with 28 (16 in A).
In Coppa Italia the Partenopei reached the final. In the second group stage they won 3 (Juventus 5-0, Milan 1-0, Taranto 3-0, all at home), drew 2 (Milan 1-1, Taranto 0-0, both away) and lost 1 (Juventus 0-1 away). They played Inter in the final in Rome but lost 1-2.
The Scudetto was won by Juventus for the 18th time. At the other end Pescara, Foggia and Genoa said farewell to Serie A.
Lazio 1977-78
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 31 |
Coppa Italia | 4 | 2 | - | 2 | 7 |
UEFA Cup | 4 | 2 | - | 2 | 7 |
Intertoto Cup | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
Total | 44 | 16 | 11 | 17 | 58 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Uefa Cup | Intertoto Cup |
Agostinelli | 42 | 29 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Giordano | 42 | 29 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
Garella | 41 | 29 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
Lopez | 41 | 28 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
Cordova | 39 | 27 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
Badiani | 39 | 25 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
Top goal scorers
Player | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Uefa Cup | Intertoto Cup | |
Giordano | 27 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
Garlaschelli | 12 | 7 | - | 2 | 3 |
D'Amico | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | - |
Let's talk about Luigi Boccolini
Luigi Boccolini was born in Porto Recanati (Macerata), on August 11, 1946.
As a youngster he played in the Portorecanati youth teams followed by a brief period with Inter's Primavera (U19's) in 1966.
He then returned to Le Marche and played for Portorecanati, then known as Adriatica, in Serie D in 1966-67.
In 1967 he travelled down the Adriatic coast and joined Pescara in Serie C. In his first season he only played two league games and the "Delfini" finished 7th while in his second he played 29 league games and they finished 13th.
In 1969 he moved even further down the coast and joined Brindisi in Serie C. He stayed two seasons, playing 43 league games and scoring 3 goals. The Biancazzurri finished 2nd and 3rd, so going close to promotion (this would come a year later).
In 1971 he went inland and joined Matera in Basilicata. The "Bue" (The Ox) was in Serie C. He stayed a first full season finishing 10th while in the following he left in the autumn. He played 30 league games with 5 goals in Lucania.
In the autumn of 1973 he returned to Brindisi, now in Serie B. He stayed three seasons. His first manager was Luis Vinicio and the Adriatici finished 7th. His teammates included former Lazio keeper, Rosario Di Vincenzo. In his second season he had three different managers: Gianni Di Marzio, Raffaele Pierini and Egizio Rubini;Brindisi finished 17th. In his last season two managers alternated, first Antonio Renna, Giovanni Invernizzi and then Renna again, leading the Biancazzurri to a 14th place. In his three years in Brindisi, Boccolini played 95 league games with 9 goals. The best was his last with 8 goals and he was also captain. His teammates included a young Vincenzo Chiarenza (Lazio 1981-82).
In 1975-76 Boccolini made the jump to Serie A and joined Napoli. Here he found former manager Vinicio, at least until June. The Partenopei had a good season finishing 5th and winning the Coppa Italia (with the duo Delfrati-Rivellino on the bench) beating Verona 4-0 in the final. Boccolini played 28 league games with 2 goals (a winner against Lazio, Juventus) and 6 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Milan).
In 1976-77 he joined Catanzaro in Serie A. "Le Aquile del Sud" (The Eagles of the South) had Gianni Di Marzio as manager and finished 15th and were relegated. The Giallorossi's best results were beating Milan 1-0 at home and Lazio 1-0 away. Boccolini played 22 league games. One of his teammates was future Sir Claudio Ranieri.
In 1977-78 he joined Lazio. In Rome he again found Vinicio as manager, at least until six matches from the end when he was replaced by Bob Lovati. Lazio finished 10th, the Biancocelesti's best results were beating Juventus 3-0, Milan 2-0, Inter 1-0, all at home while both derbies were draws. Boccolini played 10 league games with 1 goal (Milan), 3 games in Coppa Italia and 1 game in the UEFA Cup.
In 1978-79 he went all the way down the Appia Antica and returned to Brindisi again. The "Messapici" were now in C2 and managed by Alfredo Zecca and finished 10th. The following season Boccolini stayed and, under Mario Zurlini, Brindisi finished 3rd. In his two seasons he played 45 league games with 4 goals.
His last club was again in Puglia and again in C2, Squinzano (Lecce). In 1980-81 the Salentini finished 8th and Boccolini played 27 league games.
Then at almost 35 he retired but stayed in the football world and became a manager.
He started in Puglia in 1981 with Pro Italia Galatina for two years at "Interregionale" level (5th tier). There followed two seasons at Ostuni and then another at Galatina (both in 5th tier) where he won his first promotion to C2.
In 1986 he returned to Brindisi in C1 and finished 11th. He then spent a season at Martina (Martina Franca) in C2 finishing 7th and then returned to Galatina for two seasons.
In 1990-91 he was at Sporting Benevento in Interregionale (5th tier) finishing 1st but losing promotion playoff to Juve Stabia.
In 1991 to 1993 he was at Castel di Sangro in C2. He performed no "miracle" and the "Castello" finished 7th and 4th.
From 1993 to 1995 he was back at Benevento in Interregionale. The "Streghe" (The Sorcerers) finished 1st (promoted to C2) and then 3rd (lost in playoffs).
From 1995 to 1997 he was back in Salento with Tricase at amateur level and in 1997 won promotion to C2.
He stayed in Salento and from 1997 to 1999 was at Nardò. In his first year the "Toro" were promoted to C2 and then finished 12th.
In 1999 he returned to Martina for two years in Serie D. The Itriani finished 3rd and 1st (promoted to C2).
In 2001 he went back to Brindisi again, in Serie D. The Biancazzurri finished 1st and won promotion to C2. He stayed on the following year and finished 2nd (then losing semi-final playoff).
In 2003-2004 he was at Vigor Lamezia (Lamezia Terme-Calabria) in Serie D. The Biancoverdi finished 2nd but won promotion via the playoffs.
From 2004 to 2006 he was at Real Marcianise (Caserta) in Serie D. The Giallorossoverdi finished 1st (promoted to C2) and then 9th the following year.
In 2006-07 he was manager at Aversa Normanna in Serie D. The Normanni finished 2nd (lost playoff) but won the Serie D Coppa Italia. The following year he was replaced during the season.
In 2008-09 he was at Gaeta (Latina) in Serie D. The Biancorossi finished 4th and lost in the playoffs.
In 2009-10 he returned to Real Marcianise in Lega Pro Prima Divisione (3rd tier - old C1) and finished 12th.
In 2010-11 he went to Sambenedettese in Serie D and the "Samba" finished 11th.
In 2011 he went back to Brindisi in Serie D but resigned in November.
In 2013 he went to Fermana in Serie D but was soon replaced.
At this point at 67 he decided to retire. As a manager he had won eight promotions and the Coppa Italia (Serie D). A successful career in the provinces and lower divisions, away from the glamour of Serie A.
As a player he was a midfielder. He was a skilful left footer who had good technique. He played 60 games in Serie A with 3 goals. At Lazio he only stayed one season, playing 17 games in total and contributing with a goal in Lazio's 2-0 win over Milan.
Lazio Career
Season | Appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup | Intertoto Cup |
1977-78 | 17 (1) | 10 (1) | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Sources
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