Gazza gem and controversial late goal give Lazio win
A superb solo goal by Gascoigne, Signori and a late Luzardi header bring Lazio hard fought win in Pescara
Also on this day: December 6, 1994: Lazio Trabzonspor 2-1. An incredible goal by youngster Di Vaio secured Lazio progress to the quarter finals of the Uefa Cup for the first time in their history. Player of the day: Marco Di Vaio
The season so far
Lazio's new President Sergio Cragnotti's first summer transfer market had been an ambitious one. In had come 3 promising young players from Cremonese: Giuseppe Favalli, Mauro Bonomi and Dario Marcolin plus the likes of defender Roberto Cravero (Torino) midfielders Diego Fuser (Milan) and Aron Winter (Ajax) plus forward Beppe Signori (Foggia).
The main talking point however was the arrival of Paul Gascoigne from Tottenham. One of the most exciting players of his generation, he arrived with great expectations, despite a recent serious injury. Lazio had lost fan favourite Rubén Sosa who had not renewed his contract and left for Inter and had also let go Raffaele Sergio (Torino) and Gabriele Pin (Parma).
The 1991-92 season had seen Lazio finish 10th and the current season had not got off to a great start: four consecutive draws (Sampdoria 3-3, Fiorentina 2-2, Cagliari 1-1 and Genoa 1-1) were followed by a home win (Parma 5-2) but then an away defeat (Milan 3-5). Lazio then won one (Atalanta 3-0), drew one (Udinese 0-0 away) and lost two (Torino 1-2 at home and Foggia 1-2 away). The most recent match had been a draw but a very satisfying one. Lazio had drawn the derby with a late 86th minute Gascoigne header. Lazio were on 10 points after 11 games.
In Coppa Italia Lazio had got through their first clash (Ascoli 5-0 on aggregate). In the Last 32 they played Cesena on October 7 and lost 0-1 away, the return game in Rome was on October 28 and Lazio won 3-1. The Biancocelesti would now play Torino in the quarter finals in January.
Pescara were newly promoted. The "Delfini" had finished 2nd under Giovanni Galeone. Top scorer was Edi Bivi with 12 league goals.
This season "Il Profeta" had been confirmed as manager. The main signings were Danish defender John Sivebæk (Monaco), Senegalese defender Roger Mendy (Monaco), Brazilian midfielder and future world champion Dunga (Fiorentina) plus forward Stefano Borgonovo (Fiorentina).
The main players leaving were captain Andrea Camplone (Perugia), midfielder Michele Gelsi (Perugia) plus forwards Rocco Pagano (Perugia) and Orazio Sorbello (Acireale).
Some interesting players in the squad were, former Lazio Stefano Ferretti and Paolo Monelli, former Roma Scudetto winner Ubaldo Righetti and future top manager Massimiliano Allegri.
So far, the Adriatici were struggling despite a fantastic debut. The Biancazzurri had beaten Roma 1-0 away in the first match of the season but since had only won 1 (Atalanta 2-0 at home), drawn 1 and lost 8 (including Milan 4-5 at home). The Pescaresi only had 5 points.
In Coppa Italia Pescara had been eliminated by Bari 5-6 on aggregate in late summer.
Lazio galvanised by Gazza's late equaliser that salvaged the derby but Pescara already desperate for points in the relegation battle. Lazio were slight favourites for their clear superior quality, but well aware Pescara would battle hard.
The match: Sunday, December 6, 1992, Stadio Adriatico, Pescara
A cold, windy, militarized Pescara welcomed Lazio on the Adriatic coast. A crowd of about 15,000 were present at the nicely located stadium, near the sea and surrounded by pine trees. The travelling Lazio fans were purposely delayed by the police for security reasons and missed the kick-off (I was there independently and wisely avoided the away sector). Lazio played in their yellow away shirts as Pescara have similar colours.
The game started with Pescara more positive but without ever really threatening Valerio Fiori. A few corners, scrambles and a Dunga shot over the bar for the home side while Lazio had a Beppe Signori low left-footed effort saved into corner by Fabio Marchioro.
In the 15th minute Lazio were forced to make a substitution as Mauro Bonomi hobbled off injured, replaced by Gigi Corino.
In the 23rd minute the game was illuminated by Gascoigne's masterpiece. The Englishman got the ball about 35 metres out and brilliantly dribbled straight through the Pescara defence, he jumped four defenders in a space of ten metres, ran into the box and beat the keeper with a low left-footed strike. An incredible goal which even some of the home supporters applauded (and there's no love lost between Pescara and Lazio to put it mildly). Pescara 0 Lazio 1.
The home side went flat and Lazio could have doubled their lead before the break. Signori had two chances, first a left foot whistled past the post and then a right foot was parried by Marchioro. Halftime Pescara 0 Lazio 1. So far "Gazza show" was making the difference.
In the second half the "Delfini" equalised almost immediately. In the 48th minute, from a low cross from the right, Borgnovo stretched and anticipated Luca Luzardi with a flicked shot into the far post corner. Pescara 1 Lazio 1.
The game then became more balanced again with Pescara with more possession and Lazio waiting to strike on the break.
In the 62nd minute came Pescara's first replacement as Giuseppe Compagno came on for Blaz Sliskovic.
A minute later there was an ugly and unfortunate episode when a linesman collapsed in shock when a cherry bomb, thrown by the home fans, exploded near him. Despite being in a confused state for a few minutes, he was then able to continue.
In the 72nd minute another quality goal put Lazio ahead. This time by Signori who lobbed a defender in the area and hammered a low left-footed volley into the net. Great goal and Pescara 1 Lazio 2.
The lead however only lasted one minute. In the 73rd minute Dunga tried his luck from the long range, Valerio Fiori was uncertain with the save and Allegri slotted in the rebound. Pescara 2 Lazio 2.
The game then went a bit quiet, both sides seemingly settling for a draw. More substitutions followed: Ottavio Palladini for Ferretti in the 77th minute for Pescara and Giovanni Stroppa for Gascoigne in the 82nd.
Night descended early on Pescara on this bitter winter night and the floodlights were turned on. This and the linesman's resentment over the previous episode could partly account for what happened in the last minute of the game.
On a corner, from the right by Stroppa, Luzardi headed the ball towards goal in a crowded area, the ball hit the crossbar and bounced very near the goal line, on the line, over the line? On the rebound Cristiano Bergodi saw his touch trickle just wide of the post. The linesman however, followed by the referee, indicated the centre circle meaning it was a goal. Pescara 2 Lazio 3. Was it in? We will never know, not even the TV coverage later could make it out. Obviously, there were furious protests by the Pescaresi but that was the final score, Pescara 2 Lazio 3.
An important win for Lazio, deserved if only for the quality of their first two goals, master class by Signori but especially Gazza.
Gascoigne has since insinuated he played in an intoxicated state that day. My presence in Pescara also had an alcoholic connection. On a beery late Saturday night out in Trastevere, a Laziale friend and I suddenly decided to drive across the mountains to Abruzzo the following morning. We did and it was well worth it. The fact that we convinced two Roma sympathizing friends to come too does not reflect well on their inebriated state either...
Who played for Pescara
Marchioro, Dicara, Nobile, Zironelli, Dunga, Righetti, Ferretti (77' Palladini), Allegri, Borgonovo, Sliskovic (62' Compagno), Massara
Substitutes: Savorani, Alfieri, Bivi
Manager: Galeone
Who played for Lazio
Fiori, Bonomi (15' Corino), Favalli, Bacci, Luzardi, Bergodi, Fuser, Doll, Winter, Gascoigne (82' Stroppa), Signori
Manager: Zoff
Referee: Amendolia
Goals: 23' Gascoigne, 48' Borgonovo, 72' Signori, 73' Allegri, 90' Luzardi
What happened next
A week later Lazio beat Inter 3-1 in Rome. Lazio had a good season and finished 5th. The Biancocelesti qualified for Europe (UEFA Cup) after a fifteen-year absence. Lazio had some good wins; Fiorentina 2-0 away, Genoa 3-2 away, Udinese 4-0, Ancona 5-0, Napoli 4-3 at home). They drew both derbies, after the first memorable Paul Gascoigne equaliser, with a header under the Curva Nord a few minutes from time, the second was a blander goalless draw. The return match against Pescara saw another last gasp Lazio win, this time 2-1. Top scorer was Beppe Signori with 32 goals (26 in A) while Diego Fuser got 11 (10 in A), Riedle 10 (8 in A) and Winter 8 (6 in A). Signori was also top Serie A goal scorer.
In Coppa Italia Lazio were eliminated by Torino 4 -5 on aggregate in the quarter finals.
Pescara ended up relegated. In March they replaced Galeone with former Lazio player Vincenzo Zucchini but it was too late. Pescara won 6 (including Napoli 3-0 and Juventus 5-1, both at home), drew 5 (including Roma 1-1 at home) and lost 23 (including Lazio 1-2 away). Top scorer was Allegri with 12 league goals. The Biancazzurri would not be back in Serie A for another 19 years (with Zdeněk Zeman as manager and Ciro Immobile top promotion scorer with 28 league goals).
The '92-93 Scudetto was won by Fabio Capello's Milan for their 13th title. Pescara fellow travellers to the land of B were Brescia, Fiorentina and Ancona.
Lazio 1992-93
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals Scored |
Serie A | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 51 |
Coppa Italia | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 |
Total | 40 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 78 |
Top Five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Fuser | 38 | 33 | 5 |
Signori | 38 | 32 | 6 |
Favalli | 36 | 32 | 4 |
Winter | 36 | 30 | 6 |
Bacci | 35 | 31 | 4 |
Top Goal Scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Signori | 32 | 26 | 6 |
Fuser | 11 | 10 | 1 |
Riedle | 10 | 8 | 2 |
Winter | 8 | 6 | 2 |
Gascoigne | 4 | 4 | - |
Let's talk about Paul Gascoigne
Paul John Gascoigne was born in Dunston (Newcastle), on May 27, 1967. His name was a tribute to the Beatles.
He was brought up in Gateshead (Newcastle). He came from a humble background, his father was a hod carrier (a support to bricklayers), his mother worked in a factory and they initially lived in a council house.
Gascoigne already went through some therapy in his childhood, following witnessing a friend's death while another friend died while working for Gascoigne's uncle on a building site. Paul developed obsessions and twitches and an addiction to gaming machines.
All his problems seemingly disappeared on a football pitch. After trials with Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Southampton, he was signed by Newcastle as a schoolboy in 1980.
Though often overweight he performed well and showed promise. In 1985 he captained Newcastle United's youth team to win the FA Youth Cup (with a brace in the final).
He made his first team debut, under Jack Charlton, on April 13 1985, in a 1-0 home win against QPR. Gascoigne went on to play 104 games for the Toon with 25 goals (21 in the league). Newcastle finished 14th, 11th, 17th and 8th. His manager after Chartlon was Willy McFaul for three years.
In 1988, though it seemed likely he would join Manchester United, he then signed for Tottenham Hotspurs instead. In London he found Terry Venables as manager and in his first year he played 32 league games with 6 goals and 5 in the League Cup with 1 goal. Spurs finished 6th.
In 1989-90 the Lilywhites did even better finishing 3rd and Gascoigne played 34 league games with 6 goals and 4 in the League Cup with 1 goal.
In 1990-91, after Gazza (resulting in "Gazzamania") and England had gone close to world cup glory in Italia '90, Spurs finished 10th. He played 26 league games with 7 goals, 6 games in the FA Cup with 6 goals and 5 games in the League Cup with 5 goals (including four in one game against Hartlepool United). Tottenham however were in financial difficulty and Gascoigne was sold to Lazio for the following season. There was still an FA Cup Final to play however against Nottingham Forest at Wembley. To all football fans' horror and not least Lazio's, after only fifteen minutes Gascoigne ruptured his own cruciate ligaments in his right knee with a reckless tackle on Forest's Gary Charles. It was live on Italian TV and was a horrible moment. For the record Tottenham won the game 2-1 after extra-time.
Gascoigne was out of action for a year, his rehabilitation further delayed by an incident in a nightclub in late '91.
In 1992-93 he was finally ready to play in Italy for Lazio. The deal was clinched by former owner Gianmarco Calleri while now Lazio were owned by ambitious Sergio Cragnotti. The manager was legendary keeper Dino Zoff.
Gazza made his debut for Lazio on September 27, in a home game against Genoa. His first goal came in the local derby, equalising the game with only four minutes to go. Immensely popular in Rome this goal already made him immortal. A week later at Pescara he scored one of the best goals of his career when he slalomed past at least four defenders to score an amazing solo goal. In April he broke his cheekbone and had to play in a protective mask. In his first year with the Eagles, he played 22 league games with 4 goals (Roma, Pescara, Milan, Atalanta) and 4 in Coppa Italia. Lazio finished 5th, qualifying for Europe (UEFA Cup) after 16 years. He had shown flashes of his class with some great goals. It was hoped this was just the beginning.
In 1993-94 Lazio did one better and finished 4th but Gazza only played 17 league games with 2 goals (Juventus, Cagliari). He continued to have injuries and battle with his weight and then in April broke his leg again, in a tackle with Alessandro Nesta in training. Lazio’s best results were winning the derby 1-0, Juventus 3-1, Cagliari 4-0, Napoli 3-0 at home, Inter 2-1, Napoli 2-1 and Sampdoria 4-3 away. In the UEFA Cup the Biancocelesti disappointingly lost to Boavista in the last 32, 1-2 on aggregate.
In 1994-95 Zdeněk Zeman arrived as Lazio manager. Gone was the relaxed, understanding Zoff and in was highly tactical, strict and physically demanding Zeman. The relationship between the Bohemian and the Geordie predictably never blossomed. Gazza was out for most of the season anyway and only played 4 league games. Lazio had a good season and finished 2nd. The highlights were beating Roma 2-0, Napoli 5-1, Padova 5-1, Foggia 7-1, Milan 4-0, Fiorentina 8-2, Genoa 4-0, Inter 4-1 at home and Inter 2-0, Juventus 3-0, both away. In the UEFA Cup Lazio reached the quarter final (Borussia Dortmund 1-2 on aggregate) and in the Coppa Italia the semi-final (Juventus 1-3 on aggregate).
At the end of the season, it was obvious there was no future for Gascoigne at Lazio with Zeman as manager and Gazza returned to Britain.
In 1995 he moved to Scotland and joined Rangers. He stayed in Glasgow for three seasons. The Gers manager was Walter Smith and they won two league titles ('96, '97), one Scottish Cup ('96) and one League Cup. Gascoigne played 104 games and scored 39 goals (74 in league with 30 goals). His first two seasons were successful (including a brilliant goal vs Celtic in '96) but his third less so and he also got involved in controversy when he mimed playing a flute (symbolic of Protestant Orange Order marchers) during an Old Firm game at Celtic Park.
In 1998 he returned to England and joined Middlesbrough in the First Division (2nd tier), where his former England teammate Brayan Robson was manager. Gazza played 7 league games and 1 in the league cup. The Boro won promotion to the Premier League.
In 1998-99 he played more regularly, making 26 league appearances with 3 goals and 3 in the domestic cups. Middlesbrough finished 9th. Gazza still had ongoing personal problems and a spell in rehab but he generally performed well.
In 1999-2000 things did not go so well. He played 8 league games with 1 goal and 3 in the domestic cups. He broke his arm in February and his season faded. Middlesbrough finished 12th. This was his last season with the Smoggies.
In 2000 he joined Everton in the Premier League. The Toffees finished 16th under Walter Smith from his Rangers days and Gascoigne played 14 league games and 1 in the League Cup. He continued to be hindered by a series of niggling injuries and depression.
After attending an alcohol rehabilitation clinic in the summer, in 2001 he stayed on at the Blues of Liverpool and played 18 league games with 1 goal (Bolton) and 5 in the domestic cups. The People’s Club finished 15th and Gazza missed long periods for a hernia injury.
In the spring of 2002 Gascoigne left Merseyside for Lancashire and joined Burnley in the First Division. He played 6 league games for the Clarets who narrowly missed out on the play-offs.
In 2003 Gascoigne went for the Chinese experience and joined Gansu Tianma in the China League One (2nd tier) as player-coach but only played 4 league games with 2 goals and left.
His last club was Boston United in 2004 in Football League Two (4th tier). He played 4 league games and 1 in the League Cup.
Gascoigne then retired at almost 38.
At international level he won 57 caps for England with 10 goals. He performed superbly in the Italia '90 World Cup and Euro '96. In Italy, the Three Lions lost on penalties to Germany in the semi-final (Gazza was booked and would have missed the final) while in the Europeans, well… the same... out to Germany on penalties in the semis. He also played 21 times for the U21's with 5 goals.
After retiring he had a few coaching experiences but without proper contracts. First a couple of months with newly founded Portuguese club Algarve United and then Conference North club Kettering United but this only lasted 39 days.
Since retiring he has rarely been out of the news. His life became increasingly dominated by severe mental and emotional problems, particularly alcoholism. He has three autobiographies in which he refers to treatment for bulimia, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and alcoholism. He also describes his addictive personality leading to addictions of varying severity to alcohol, cocaine, chain smoking, gambling, high-caffeine energy drinks, exercise and junk food. A troubled soul.
As a player however Gascoigne was one of a kind. He is considered one of the best players of his generation and one of the best English footballers of all time. He was an attacking central midfielder often playing as playmaker. Gascoigne had it all: pace, physical strength, balance, dribbling skills, striking and heading ability. His upper body strength and technical skills enabled him to glide past opponents and his great vision meant he could set up passes and assists. He could use both feet and was an incredibly creative and entertaining player. At his prime he was unstoppable. He scored some memorable goals, his goal at Wembley against Scotland in Euro' 96 comes to mind. Unfortunately, his turbulent and often unhealthy lifestyle added to a tendency to get injured limited his career. He will be remembered as a top player but he could have been the greatest.
At Lazio he was and still is adored. It is fair to say he is one of the most popular players ever to have worn a Lazio jersey. It was love at first sight with Gazza. Lazio are a unique club, for better or worse and Gazza was a unique player. The fans fell in love with his character, his pranks, his Geordie Italian but especially the flashes of his superlative football skills. He only played 47 games for the Biancocelesti but some of his performances, his goal in the derby in the dying minutes, his amazing goal at Pescara, his passion and pure talent will be cherished for ever. I'm sure the song Paul Gascoigne lala-lala-lala, Paul Gascoigne lala-lala-lala will be sung for generations to come.
Personally, I met Gazza in a pub in North Rome where we both lived on an evening before a game. I was relieved to see he was not drinking (his mate Jimmy five bellies certainly was), just smoking a cigar and playing cards with some local lads but the funny thing was these pronounced the card names in Geordie accents.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
1992-93 | 26 (4) | 22 (4) | 4 |
1993-94 | 17 | 17 | - |
1994-95 | 4 | 4 | - |
Total | 47 (4) | 43 (4) | 4 |
Sources
Opmerkingen