An away win, eight months later
Lazio finally manage to win away from home thanks to a good all-round performance.
Also on this day:
The season so far
Lazio had just come back to Serie A after a couple of years in Serie B, and were hoping to stay up without suffering too much.
In the summer transfer window of 1969, two players were signed from Serie C team Internapoli that under the guidance of future Lazio 1970s manager Luis Vinicio had almost been promoted to Serie B: Giuseppe Wilson and Giorgio Chinaglia. The two will go on to make Lazio history.
Other signings had been goalkeeper Michelangelo Sulfaro (Sambenedettese), defender Giuseppe Papadopulo (Livorno) and in the autumn transfer window defender Luigi Polentes (Perugia) and midfielder Franco Nanni (Trapani). Lazio said goodbye to a few of the players that had been fundamental for the return to Serie A: Guido Onor and Elio Rinero went back to Juventus after their year-long loans, legend Diego Zanetti left after 8 years (Vicenza) and Giuseppe Lorenzetti signed for Livorno. In the autumn, more players left: Pietro Adorni (Piacenza), Carlo Soldo (Monza), Piero Cucchi (Ternana), Alberto Mari (Velletri) whilst Arrigo Dolso and Romano Bagatti were loaned to Monza and Alessandria respectively. Pierluigi Pagni retired.
After a poor Coppa Italia campaign in September, by mid November Lazio had not done too badly. Despite losing the derby 2-1, they had beaten Milan and Fiorentina (5-1!!!) and one could have been reasonably satisfied. However, they then lost four games in a row plus had been knocked out of the Mitropa Cup by Honved Budapest. In the six games prior to today, things had only slightly improved and the Biancocelesti were 12th together with Bari, three points above the relegation zone.
Today’s opponents, Sampdoria, were even worse off, since they were 15th. A big match for both teams if they wanted to continue playing in Serie A.
The match: Sunday February 8, 1970, Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
Lazio dominated midfield right from the word go. The full time return of Giuliano Fortunato plus Giuseppe Massa, Nello Governato and Giancarlo Morrone allowed Lazio to continually break the opponents' game and serve plenty of balls to the two strikers Gian Piero Ghio and Giorgio Chinaglia.
It was Ghio who gave the Biancocelesti the lead in the 30th minute. Fortunato-Ghio one-two, cross, the Sampdoria defence cleared and Ghio with a great volley made it 1-0.
Lazio then made sure to stifle any Sampdoria reaction and in the second half put their foot on the accelerator for a second. Chinaglia missed an incredible chance in the 49th minute. Ten minutes later, Morrone to Long John who tried a shot that beat Pietro Battara but the ball was heading out. Giorgio Garbarini at this point gave the Biancocelesti a hand. He tried to clear but kicked the ball into his own net.
Two minutes later Ermano Cristin kneed Giuseppe Papadopulo in the ribs and was sent off. Lazio had numerous opportunities to make it three but Fortunato and Ghio were unlucky.
Excellent win for the Biancocelesti.
Who played for Sampdoria
Battara, Sabadini, Delfino, Sabatini, Spanio, Garbarini, Cristin, Salvi, Nielsen (55' Colletta), Benetti, Francesconi
Substitute: Paterlini
Manager: Bernardini
Who played for Lazio
Sulfaro, Oddi, Wilson, Governato, Papadopulo, Marchesi, Fortunato, Massa, Chinaglia, Ghio, Morrone (81’ Casisa)
Substitute: Di Vincenzo
Manager: Lorenzo
Referee: Monti
Goals: 30’ Ghio, 59’ Garbarini (og)
What happened next
At the end of the day it was a positive season for Lazio. Nothing much was expected, it was hoped that Lazio would not have to suffer too much to stay in Serie A and this is exactly what happened. There were two prestigious wins against Inter and Juventus that made it a season to remember. The return derby was drawn due to terrible refereeing decisions.
Chinaglia in his first year of Serie A was Lazio’s top scorer with 12 goals to which one must add two goals in Mitropa Cup. Rino Marchesi had the most appearances since he played every single game!!!
Let’s talk about Francesco Casisa
Francesco Casisa was born on March 27, 1943 in Monreale near Palermo.
He started playing football with Palermo and debuted in Serie A at 18 on September 24 1961 in the home win against Venezia. He then went on to play two years with Marzotto Valdagno in Serie C then a year with Salernitana and two with Trapani again in the third tier where he played 68 consecutive games.
In 1967 he played a season with Bari followed by two with Ternana. In 1969 he signed for Lazio in the deal which saw Piero Cucchi go to Tuscany. He played very little, just 5 appearances and in the summer of 1970 was sold to Casertana in Serie B.
After a year at Caserta he signed for Sangiovannese in 1971 but after a season he went back to Trapani where he stayed three years, the longest stint in his career in a club.
The last years of active football were spent with Modica in Serie D and Akragas.
Lazio Career
Season | Serie A Appearances |
1969-70 | 5 |
Sources
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