A late but thoroughly deserved win
Lazio’s top scorer Garlini punishes negative Samb
Also on this day: February 23, 2014: Lazio Sassuolo 3-2. A great performance from Stefan Radu helped beat Sassuolo in a very difficult moment for Lazio. Lazio Legend of the day: Stefan Radu
The season so far
Lazio's new dawn under Giorgio Chinaglia had failed and they were back in Serie B. Despite changing manager twice (Paolo Carosi to Juan Carlos Lorenzo and finally to Bob Lovati/Giancarlo Oddi) Lazio came second bottom and made the drop. Chinaglia's financial partners had never materialised and he was in huge difficulty. Turbulent times on and off the pitch.
This year the new manager was much respected Gigi Simoni. Lazio had been obliged to sell their star players: Bruno Giordano (Napoli), Lionello Manfredonia (Juventus) plus Michael Laudrup had gone (Juventus - end of two-year loan). Also leaving were keepers Massimo Cacciatori (Gubbio) and Fernando Orsi (Arezzo), defender Renato Miele (Triestina) and midfielders Giancarlo Marini (Genoa) and Joao Batista (Avellino).
Lazio had brought in some players more suitable to the new financial and sporting situation. A rare deal with Roma was made and in came goalkeeper Astutillo Malgioglio. Three defenders also arrived, Fabio Calcaterra (Inter-loan), Roberto Galbiati (Torino) and Giorgio Magnocavallo (Atalanta), a midfielder, Domenico Caso (Torino), and two forwards, Giuliano Fiorini (Genoa) and Fabio Poli (Cagliari). The two forwards would later prove to be history changers for Lazio.
In the Coppa Italia, in August and September, Lazio had won two (Catania 1-0 and Monopoli 2-0) and drawn three (Atalanta 2-2, Taranto 0-0 and Sampdoria 0-0) but were eliminated on goal difference.
In Serie B the Biancocelesti started off okay with four wins, a draw, and a defeat but then faded. They had already lost 8 matches and were in mid-table limbo, on 22 points. A week earlier they had lost 1-2 away to Arezzo. Top scorer so far was Oliviero Garlini with 11 goals.
Sambenedettese had finished 9th the previous season, under two different managers; Francesco Liguori (1-22) and Guido Mazzetti (23-38). Top scorer was Stefano Borgonovo with 13 league goals.
This season the manager was Giampiero Vitali. So far, the Rossoblu had won 7, drawn 9 (Including Lazio 1-1) and lost 7, so on 23 points. A week earlier "La Samba" had beaten Monza 3-1 at home. Their main players were defender Enrico Annoni (future Torino, Roma and Celtic), midfielders Massimo Ficcadenti (future Verona and Torino), Tiziano Manfrin (former Genoa and Milan), forwards Sauro Fattori (former Atalanta), Alberto Di Nicola and Francesco Turrini (future Napoli). Stefano Borgonovo had left and joined Como in Serie A.
A mid-table clash this afternoon but Lazio were underperforming while the Marchigiani visitors were in line with their expectations.
The match: Sunday, February 23, 1986, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A 20,000 crowd for this mid-table Serie B clash.
Lazio were without defender Massimo Piscedda, midfielders Vincenzo D'Amico, Fortunato Torrisi and Claudio Vinazzani.
This was one of Lazio's last chances to have any hopes of a late promotion push. The fixture list said Lazio would have eight home games out of fourteen after this game, but first they had to win this one. Sambenedettese were above them in the table so it would not be easy.
The match started with the visitors with a very defensive approach. This would not change for the whole 90 minutes.
The Curva Nord had a banner reading "With anger in our hearts ... you are not worthy of our love” (in Italian it rhymes..). At least today the team seemed interested and attacked from the first minute.
Sambenedettese were surprisingly negative and made it clear their sole objective was to come away from Rome with a point.
Lazio dominated with Domenico Caso back in midfield pulling the strings, Giorgio Magnocavallo pushing on the left flank and Fabio Poli's mobility forcing the Marchigiani to a continuous and flustered defence of their area.
The Sambenedettese keeper Simone Braglia was the only reason Lazio did not score at least a couple of goals in the first half. The Biancocelesti and Poli in particular were also denied a blatant penalty. After 45 minutes of attack against defence the referee blew up. Lazio 0 Sambenedettese 0.
For the second period, Samb manager Vitali replaced midfielder Tiziano Manfrin with Bruno Ranieri.
The pattern did not change, Lazio pushing forward and the visitors concentrating only on breaking down the Biancocelesti's attempts. The most dangerous the Rossoblu were was simply having a corner (to Lazio's ten).
Lazio's chances of scoring were not helped by their main striker, Giuliano Fiorini, having an off day which became worse in the 51st minute when he was sent off for excessive protests after being booked.
Now surely Sambenedettese would try something a minimum more adventurous? They did not and stubbornly continued their exclusively defensive game plan.
In the 70th the Rossoblu replaced defender Luigi Cagni with another defender Antonio Schio.
Even with ten men Lazio created chances but simply could not score, also due to keeper Braglia continuing to excel.
However, just as time and hope was running out Lazio scored. Fabio Calcaterra burst down the right wing and put in an inviting low cross which bounced up to Oliviero Garlini, going towards the front post, he twisted his body and put the ball in on the far post. A great goal and totally deserved, Lazio 1 Sambenedettese 0.
There was no way the Marchigiani were going to be able to change gear after being so negative for so long. The last thing to note in the 89th minute was Garlini coming off to lap up the fans' applause and being replaced by Oscar Damiani. Final score Lazio 1 Sambenedettese 0.
Lazio overtook Sambenedettese and rose to 24 points. If they played like today there was still a chance of catching up with the front runners over the last 14 games.
Who played for Lazio
Ielpo, Podavini, Calisti, Galbiati, Calcaterra, Magnocavallo, Poli, Toti, Fiorini, Caso, Garlini (89' Damiani)
Manager: Simoni
Who played for Sambenedettese
S. Braglia, Petrangeli, Nobile, Annoni, Cagni (70' Schio), Ferrari, Di Fabio, Galassi, Fattori, Manfrin (46' B. Ranieri), Ginelli
Manager: Vitali
Referee: Ongaro
Goals: 87' Garlini
Red card: Fiorini (L)
What happened next
Today's match was an illusion as Lazio only got one point in the next three matches. Then after beating Catania 1-0 at home, they earned 5 points over the following 8 games. On June 8 the Biancocelesti travelled to Catanzaro seriously risking being relegated to Serie C. Fortunately they won 3-2 and then finished off in style beating promoted Brescia 4-2. Lazio ended up 11th. Top scorer was Oliviero Garlini with 18 league goals and he was also top Serie B scorer.
A very negative season for Lazio who had started with promotion ambitions and then nearly got themselves relegated. In their defence there was uncertainty at all levels as Giorgio Chinaglia had been forced to leave in February and the club was in a financial crisis with late or unpaid wages and a general state of chaos.
Little did they know that things were about to get worse…
Sambenedettese finished 14th. After today's game the Rossoblu won 3, drew 6 and lost 5. They too risked relegation and only saved themselves by winning the last two games of the season. Top scorer was Massimo Ginelli with 6 league goals.
The three promoted clubs were Ascoli, Brescia and Empoli (who replaced Vicenza 3rd but were punished for the Totonero match fixing scandal which was also just about to hit Lazio).
Serie C was waiting for Monza, Catanzaro, Perugia and Pescara
Lazio 1985-86
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie B | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 38 |
Coppa Italia | 5 | 2 | 3 | - | 5 |
Total | 43 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 43 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
Garlini | 43 | 38 | 5 |
Podavini | 39 | 34 | 5 |
Calcaterra | 37 | 33 | 4 |
Galbiati | 35 | 30 | 5 |
Vinazzani | 35 | 30 | 5 |
Top goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
Garlini | 18 | 18 | - |
Caso | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Fiorini | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Podavini | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Let’s talk about Fabio Calcaterra
Fabio Calcaterra was born in Magenta (Milan), on May 13, 1965.
He started playing football in the Inter youth set up and in 1983-84 joined the first team squad.
The manager was Luigi Radice but Calcaterra never made his debut. The Nerazzurri finished 4th (UEFA Cup).
In 1984-85 he was loaned to Siena in Serie C1. It was a good season for "Robur" under former Lazio player Ferruccio Mazzola which ended in promotion, in 1st place. Calcaterra played 32 league games and scored 2 goals. His teammates included, former Lazio, Pietro Ghedin (1974-79, 1980-81) and, past and future Lazio keeper, Mario Ielpo (1980-84, 1985-87).
In 1985-86 Calcaterra joined Lazio on loan in Serie B. It was a difficult season with financial uncertainty and President Chinaglia leaving in February. Lazio finished a disappointing 11th (but it could have been worse) under manager Gigi Simoni. Calcaterra played 33 league games.
In 1986 he returned to his mother club Inter. The manager was Giovanni Trapattoni and the Nerazzurri finished 3rd (UEFA Cup). Calcaterra played 14 league games. The squad included, his former Lazio teammates, Oliviero Garlini (1984-86) and Astutillo Malgioglio (1985-86).
In 1987-88 Calcaterra stayed at Inter, still under Trapattoni. They finished 3rd (UEFA Cup) and Calcaterra again played 14 league games.
In 1988 he was sold to Cesena in Serie A. He stayed three seasons and the Bianconeri finished 10th, 12th and 17th (relegated). His managers were Alberto Bigon (Lazio 1980-82) in the first year, Marcello Lippi (future World Cup winner) in the second and Lippi, Giampiero Ceccarelli and Alberto Battistoni in the third. Calcaterra played a total of 96 league games with 1 goal (Torino) plus 10 games in Coppa Italia. His teammates included former Lazio Vincenzo Esposito (1986-88) and, future Lazio Sergio Domini (1990-91).
In 1991 Calcaterra joined Bari in Serie A. The "Galletti" (The Cockerels) started off with Gaetano Salvemini (1-5) and finished with Zbigniew Boniek (6-34). The Biancorossi were relegated in 15th position despite having Zvonimir Boban and David Platt in the squad. Calcaterra played 18 league games with 1 goal (Verona).
He then stayed on in Serie B for another season. First, under Sebastiăo Lazaroni (1-18) and then, former Lazio Giuseppe Materazzi (1988-90). Bari finished 10th and Calcaterra played 20 league games.
In 1993 he returned to Cesena in Serie B. The "Cavalluccio" (Seahorse) manager was Bruno Bolchi and they finished 5th, then losing in the promotion playoffs (Padova 1-2).
In 1994-95 he stayed in Romagna with the Bianconeri. Still under Bolchi they finished 8th. In his two seasons with Cesena, he played 63 league games with 4 goals.
In 1995-96 he played for SPAL in nearby Ferrara, in Serie C1. First under manager Vincenzo Guerini (1-3) and then Salvatore Bianchetti, the Estensi finished 2nd but lost the promotion playoff (Como 3-6 on aggregate). Calcaterra played 24 league games with 4 goals.
In 1996 he first joined Gualdo in Serie C1 but then left before playing any games and moved to Forli in Serie D. The Biancorossi got relegated under Franco Bonavita and Calcaterra played 20 league games.
In 1997-98 he played for Catania in Serie C2. The "Elefanti" manager was first Angelo Busetta and then Giovanni Mei and they finished 4th and then lost in the playoff semi-final (Turris 0-1 on aggregate). Calcaterra played 14 league games.
In 1998-99 he played a season with Cremapergo in Serie C2 but under four different managers the "Cannibali" were relegated. Calcaterra played 15 league games.
Calcaterra then played two more seasons at amateur level with Atletico Milan before retiring at 36.
After retiring he went into coaching at youth level. He started at Cesena in 2002-03 and then spent four seasons with various Inter age levels. In 2009-10 he was with the Modena youth sector.
In 2010 he was assistant at Benevento in Lega Pro (3rd tier), first to former Cesena teammate Agatino Cuttone and then to, former Lazio, Giuseppe Galderisi (1987-88). The Giallorossi finished 2nd but lost the semi-final playoff (Juve Stabia 2-3 on aggregate).
In 2012-13 he was still at Benevento but back in the youth set up.
He then started to work as a sports director for A.S Crespi Morbio, an amateur club in Milan. In 2015 he began to work for Sampdoria at youth level but not as a coach.
He returned to coaching in 2021 with Riozzese Como female team in Serie B and then as Technical Director with Sedriano men's team at amateur level in Milan.
Calcaterra was a central defender. He was a physically strong, gritty player but not overly technical. The beginning of his career was promising, playing 28 games in Serie A for Inter, but he was unable to remain at those high levels. He did however play four more seasons in Serie A with Cesena and Bari, reaching a total of 142 games.
He never won any trophies but only a promotion up to C1 with Siena in 1984-85.
At Lazio he had a solid season but was unlucky with his timing. It was a negative year for the club in general and he was only on loan anyway. He played regularly however and did well enough to be called back to Inter.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1985-86 | 37 | 33 | 4 |
Sources
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