Lazio win Scudetto crunch match
A goal by Garlaschelli and a Chinaglia double put Lazio in driving seat for title
Also on this day: February 17, 2008, Lazio Atalanta 3-0. A Rocchi double, both on penalties, and a goal by Pandev sweep away Atalanta. Player of the day: Marco Ballotta
The season so far
Lazio went close to the scudetto the previous season before finishing 3rd. Lazio had been in contention going into the last match but Roma basically let themselves be beaten by Juventus and Lazio were beaten by overly keen Napoli, among allegations of both teams being "incentivated" by the "Old Lady". Meanwhile the other contender Milan fell apart at "fatal Verona".
This season the charismatic manager Tommaso Maestrelli was still on the bench. There had been no major changes to the squad. Lazio had received plenty of offers for their best players: Luciano Re Cecconi (Torino), Franco Nanni (Fiorentina and Juventus) and Giorgio Chinaglia (Milan, Juventus, Napoli and Inter). The president, Umberto Lenzini, however, managed to resist and keep them all.
There had only been some lesser deals: in Fausto Inselvini (Brescia) and defender Sergio Borgo (Pro Patria), out Giacomo La Rosa (Palermo), Andrea Chini (Cavese), Giambattista Moschino (retired).
Basically, Lazio were giving the title another go with the same squad. The idea was that they had gone so close the previous season that this year with a little more experience they stood a realistic chance.
The pitch was so far proving them right. Lazio had won 11 (including derby 2-1), drawn 3 and lost 3 (including Juventus 1-3 away). Lazio had 25 points, were top of the table and Chinaglia had scored 10 goals. A week earlier, however, the Biancocelesti had lost 0-1 away at Sampdoria. The scudetto race was approaching the decisive moments, their main rivals seemed to be Juventus (as the previous year) two points behind and Napoli (instead of Milan) three points behind.
In Coppa Italia Lazio had got through the August-September group phase despite losing a game. The Biancocelesti had won 2 (Varese 2-0 and Novara 6-0 at home), drawn 1 (Roma 0-0) and lost 1 (Brescia 0-2 away). The next group stage started on December 12 (Cesena, Palermo and Juventus) and Lazio had won 1 (Palermo 1-0 at home), drawn 1 (Juventus 0-0) and lost 1 (Cesena 1-2 away). Lazio often played a weakened team and seemed to be focusing exclusively on the league.
In the UEFA Cup, the Biancocelesti had passed the first round (Sion 4-3 on aggregate) but then things had gone sour. In the round of 32 Lazio lost 0-4 away to Ipswich (4 goals by Trevor Whymark) and in the return match (4-2 Lazio) the match ended in a brawl and crowd trouble due to a scandalous performance by an allegedly drunk referee. This episode would unfortunately bring heavy repercussions on Lazio, a year's ban from Europe.
Juventus were reigning champions and their scudetto winning manager Čestmír Vycpálek (Zdeněk Zeman's uncle) had stayed on. The main changes to the squad were, coming in, defender Claudio Gentile (Varese) and leaving, midfielder Helmut Haller (Augusta).
Juventus were in 2nd position, on 23 points, after 9 wins, 5 draws and 3 defeats. A week earlier the Bianconeri had beaten Napoli 4-1 at home.
In Coppa Italia, Juventus were in the second group stage. They had so far drawn 2 (Lazio 0-0 away and Cesena 1-1 at home and Lazio ) and lost 1 (Palermo 0-2 away).
In the European Cup they were surprisingly beaten in the first round by East Germans Dynamo Dresden 3-4 on aggregate.
So today was a massive game. Lazio could make a statement win and go four points clear of their most dangerous rivals or Juventus could go joint top and show they had no intention of abdicating.
The match: Sunday, February 17, 1974, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A grey, rainy day but a packed stadium with a crowd of 76,000. The gates opened at 10 o'clock for a 2.30 kick-off.
Lazio were still without Luciano Re Cecconi while Juventus had Franco Causio out.
Lazio made it clear from the start that they were determined to win this match. They attacked furiously from the word go.
In the 5th minute they were already in the lead. Giorgio Chinaglia tried a shot but it was blocked by defender Francesco Morini, the ball reached Franco Nanni who had a go himself but again the ball was blocked and ricocheted out on the right side of the area where Renzo Garlaschelli, third time lucky, beat Dino Zoff with a cross goal strike. Lazio 1 Juventus 0.
A dream start by the Biancocelesti who were rampant and continued attacking.
In the 15th minute Lazio were denied a clear penalty when Chinaglia, teed up by Vincenzo D'Amico was fouled by Morini but not according to the referee.
In the 20th minute after a one-two between Sergio Petrelli and Nanni, the fullback shaved the post with a low strike.
In the 28th minute Lazio scored again. A blistering Chinaglia low free kick gave Zoff no chance. Lazio 2 Juventus 0.
The visitors at this point tried to react but it was not until just before halftime that they actually had a shot towards goal. A Pietro Anastasi effort hit the side netting.
Then it was Lazio again but D'Amico was too altruistic and instead of shooting from a good position he tried to find Chinaglia and the chance was wasted.
Two nil at the break and Lazio went off to enthusiastic applause from their supporters.
For the second half Juventus took off a worse for wear Giuseppe Furino and put on a more attacking midfielder, Fernando Viola.
The game restarted with an immediate potential game changer. Petrelli mishit a pass and gave the ball away to Claudio Gentile, the Libyan born defender was then fouled by Giuseppe Wilson just before entering the area but then falling inside it. The referee however incredibly pointed to the penalty spot amid protests by the Lazio players. Antonello Cuccureddu hit a central spot kick, hoping Felice Pulici would dive one way or the other, but Felix stayed put and saved into corner with his knee and then, realising the ball was not in the back of the net, celebrated wildly.
In the 51st minute Chinaglia got past Morini and shot on the far post but Zoff was safe.
In the 55th minute the referee Panzino decided to be a protagonist again. He blew up for a penalty to Juventus for Petrelli lightly tugging José Altafini's arm. One Lazio fan was so angry he invaded the pitch but was promptly "looked after" by the Carabinieri. This time Anastasi stepped up and placed a good, medium height shot to Pulici's left. Lazio 2 Juventus 1.
Lazio reacted as if they had suffered a huge injustice and attacked head down. Chinaglia beat Zoff with a low shot but Sandro Salvadore cleared on the line and then Zoff conquered the ball.
In the 65th minute it was Lazio who were awarded a slightly generous penalty. Chinaglia was challenged by Morini and went down, the referee judged it a foul and pointed to the 11-metre spot. It was obviously "Long John" who took the ball and he then placed a low, central shot past Zoff. Lazio 3 Juventus 1.
The game remained lively and hard-fought despite there not being real goal scoring opportunities.
In the 72nd minute Petrelli limped off injured and was replaced by Luigi Polentes.
Juventus attacked but Lazio defended well. The only risk was in the 85th minute when Giancarlo Oddi saved brilliantly on the line from an Anastasi effort. Final score Lazio 3 Juventus 1.
A massive win for Lazio. There were still many games to go but the Biancocelesti had shown they were superior to the "Old Lady", at least today. They had dominated the first half and in the second had controlled Juventus' comeback well. The defence had been almost perfect, led by a superlative Pino Wilson.
At the end of the game both managers agreed it was still 50-50 for the title but Lazio now had a four-point advantage and the knowledge they were as good if not better than the Zebras. The Biancocelesti still had to watch Napoli too who were only three points behind.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Petrelli (72' Polentes), Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Garlaschelli, Inselvini, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, D'Amico
Substitutes: Moriggi, Manservisi
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Juventus
Zoff, Spinosi, Marchetti, Furino (46' Viola), Morini, Salvadore, Gentile, Cuccureddu, Anastasi, Capello, Altafini
Substitutes: Piloni, Bettega
Manager: Vycpálek
Referee: Panzino
Goals: 5' Garlaschelli, 27' Chinaglia, 55' Anastasi (pen), 66' Chinaglia (pen)
What happened next
Lazio would go on to win their first historic league title. On the 12th May 1974 Lazio were proclaimed Campioni d'Italia!
A week after today's match they drew 1-1 in Florence, then beat Cesena 2-0 at home, lost away to Inter (+2 on Juve) but then beat Cagliari 2-0 at home (+3)
On March 31 Lazio also won the return derby, coming from behind to beat Roma 2-1 (Chinaglia, D'Amico) and went to + 4.
Another key win came in a home game against Verona on April 14 when, 2-1 down at halftime, Lazio stayed on the pitch waiting eagerly for the second half and ended up 4-2 winners. With five games to go Lazio had a four-point lead on Juventus.
Lazio then earned a good away point against Milan and beat Genoa at home 1-0 with a Garlaschelli winner.
Despite losing to Torino on May 5 (only team to beat Lazio twice that season) a week later, on May 12, Lazio came into the penultimate game of the season knowing a win would give them the scudetto (+ 3 on Juve).
The opponents were Foggia, Maestrelli's former team, who were desperately battling against relegation. Fans started arriving at the stadium at 6 o'clock in the morning and the gates were opened at 8.45. The hills above the stadium were also packed as, before the roof was added for the Italia '90 world cup, it was possible to follow the game up on Monte Mario near the "Madonnina". It was obviously a sell-out but many fans also managed to get in for free, swelling the crowd to explosive levels.
It was a tough game with Lazio playing the last half hour with ten men (Garlaschelli sent off) and Luigi Martini out injured but Lazio got the all-important goal with a Chinaglia penalty in the 60th minute. Foggia threw everyone forward but a tired and comprehensively tense Lazio managed to resist the Satanelli's assaults. On a glorious 1974 May day in Rome the Biancocelesti founded in 1900 were finally Italian Champions!
Maestrelli's crazy gang had done it. A team divided in clans during the week but masterfully brought together by the "Maestro" on match days. They played an entertaining brand of football based on the new Dutch philosophy and thoroughly deserved the title. Like Bologna, Fiorentina and Cagliari before them they had broken the monopoly of the big three (Juve, Milan and Inter). Top scorer had been charismatic Long John Chinaglia with 34 goals in total (24 in Serie A).
Lazio however would never get to take part in the European Cup a year later. After trouble on the pitch and off it, in a UEFA Cup return match against Ipswich Town, Lazio had been banned from all European competitions for three years, then reduced to one. Lazio players and fans had lost their heads with on field scuffles with opponents and referee and crowd trouble, things had got completely out of hand. In Lazio's and its fans defence they had witnessed one of the most scandalous refereeing performances in the history of football by a certain Van der Kraft from Holland (see an English defender saving the ball with his hands on the goal line for an unawarded penalty as just one example of the Dutchman's exploits). The punishment was inevitable but it was a pity Lazio were not able to participate in a tournament they had so deserved to be in.
The scudetto celebrations however went on in Rome and the region for months and were enough to help forget the European disappointment. SS. Lazio were Champions of Italy!
Juventus ended up 2nd, two points behind Lazio. They only lost one more game but draws with Bologna, Verona, Torino and Cagliari meant they had to settle for a runners-up position. Top scorer was Pietro Anastasi with 16 league goals.
The other verdicts were Serie B for Foggia, Genoa and Verona (for corruption). The Coppa Italia was won by Bologna who defeated the surprise Palermo (a Serie B club) on penalties after a 1-1 draw (Bologna had equalised with a 90th minute penalty).
Lazio 1973-74
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 30 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 45 |
Coppa Italia | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
UEFA Cup | 4 | 2 | - | 2 | 8 |
Total | 44 | 23 | 10 | 11 | 63 |
Top five appearances (Complete Player Statistics)
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
42 | 30 | 8 | 4 | |
42 | 30 | 8 | 4 | |
42 | 30 | 8 | 4 | |
42 | 30 | 8 | 4 | |
40 | 30 | 6 | 4 |
Top five goalscorers (Complete Player Statistics)
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
Giorgio Chinaglia | 34 | 24 | 4 | 6 |
14 | 10 | 2 | 2 | |
Franco Nanni | 2 | 2 | - | - |
2 | 2 | - | - | |
Luciano Re Cecconi | 2 | 2 | - | - |
Let's talk about Fausto Inselvini
Fausto Inselvini was born in Travagliato (Brescia), on December 15, 1951.
He played his early football with local big club Brescia, going through the whole youth sector and then joining the first team squad in 1969-70.
Brescia were in Serie A and the manager was first Arturo Silvestri (1-12) and then Mido Bimbi (13-30). Inselvini played 2 league games but the "Rondinelle" were relegated in 14th place.
Over the next three seasons he played in Serie B. The managers were Andrea Bassi the first two years and then Giuliano Piovanelli (1-19) and Renato Gei (20-38) in the third. The Leonessa finished 5th, 12th and 17th. Inselvini played 90 league games with 3 goals (Arezzo, Novara, Lecco) plus 10 games in Coppa Italia. His teammates included future Lazio manager Gigi Simoni (1985-86) and a young future Inter star Evaristo Beccalossi.
In the Autumn of 1973 he joined Lazio in Serie A. The manager was Tommaso Maestrelli and Lazio had title ambitions as they had gone very close the previous season. Luciano Re Cecconi had got injured so Inselvini was brought in to fill in the temporary gap in the squad. He ended up playing 11 league games, 8 in Coppa Italia and 2 in the UEFA Cup. He also played 20 games for the U23's with 3 goals. Lazio and Inselvini had a great year and won the scudetto for the first time in their history.
In 1974-75 Inselvini joined Foggia in Serie B. The managers were first Lauro Toneatto (1-17) and then, future Italy manager, Cesare Maldini. The Rossoneri finished 8th and Inselvini played 30 league games with 3 goals. His teammates included, former and future Lazio, Sergio Borgo (1973-74, 1975-76) and, former Lazio, Giuseppe Lorenzetti (1967-69).
In 1975-76 Inselvini stayed with the Apulian "Satanelli" (Little Satans). The manager was Maldini again (1-20) and then Roberto Balestri (20-38). Foggia won promotion in 3rd place and Inselvini played 21 league games with 2 goals (Taranto, Brindisi). One of his teammates was future Lazio derby winner Aldo Nicoli (1978-81). This season however Inselvini suffered a serious injury which would hinder the rest of his career.
In 1976-77 he played 6 league games for Sambenedettese in Serie B. La Samb finished 9th under first Eugenio Fantini (1-11) and then Nicola Tribuiani (12-38).
In 1978-79 Inselvini joined Barletta in Serie C1. The manager was first Francisco Lojacono and then Vincenzo Margiotta but the Biancorossi finished 15th and were relegated. Inselvini played 21 league games with 2 goals.
In 1979-80 he played for Alessandria in C1. The "Orso Grigio" (The Grey Bear) got through three managers: Eugenio Fantini, Ermanno Tarabbia and Raffaele Cuscela and got relegated. Inselvini played 28 league games with 1 goal.
In 1980-81 he played one last season back at Barletta in C2. The" Furie Rosse" (The Red Furies) finished 5th under Mario Trebbi and then Savino Parente. Inselvini played 29 league games with 1 goal.
At this point, at 30 he retired.
Since retiring he has gone into coaching at lower levels. His clubs have included: Telgate (Bergamo), Orsa Iseo (Brescia), Lonate (Varese), Manfredonia, Siderno (Reggio Calabria), Marsala, Rionero (Potenza), Crema and San Severo (Foggia).
Inselvini was a defensive midfielder. He was a hard-working player not overly skilful but athletic and generous. He was one of those players who they say always put in a good shift. He played 13 games in Serie A and 165 in B. The injury at 25 then meant the last years of his career were at slightly lower levels.
He only spent one year at Lazio but it was an epic one. Lazio won the Scudetto and he made a good contribution with 11 league games. His name is still reeled off with the other reserve players of that unforgettable squad: Mario Facco, Paolo Franzoni, Polentes and Pierpaolo Manservisi. Inselvini played a total of 21 games for Lazio.
Lazio Career
Season | Appearances | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
1973-74 | 21 | 11 | 8 | 2 |
Sources
Comments