Game 11, Serie A
Sunday, December 27, 1970
Stadio Comunale, Florence
Fiorentina- Lazio 1-1
A rare goal by the Lazio defender ten minutes from time gives Lazio a well-deserved point
In Serie A, Lazio were struggling. After ten games the Biancocelesti were in joint 14h place on 7 points, one from safety (three teams on 8) Lazio had won 1 (most recent game 1-0 at home to Sampdoria), drawn 5 (including Milan away and derby, both 1-1) and lost 4.
Fiorentina were currently in joint 10th position with Sampdoria and Varese on 8 points. The Viola had won 2 (including Roma 1-0 away on debut), drawn 4 and lost 4. Their most recent game was a 3-0 home win against Foggia.
So, two teams with some problems were meeting today. A game neither could afford to lose.
The match
A dark, showery day in Florence today and the pitch was a little heavy. A 25,000 crowd had turned up in the Campo di Marte area of town.
Both sides had more or less their best XI's. Juan Carlos Lorenzo however, had dropped Giuseppe Papadopulo and Luigi Polentes and played Pino Wilson and Mario Facco as markers and Rino Marchesi as sweeper.
The Viola started well but in the 5th minute lost their star striker Luciano Chiarugi through injury. The Tuscan striker from near Pisa hobbled off after clashing with Wilson and was replaced by Ennio Pellegrini.
The Florentines remained on top and Rosario Di Vincenzo had to be vigilant on a Dino D'Alessi effort. In the 19th minute the Gigliati went in front. A powerful and precise Claudio Merlo shot gave the Lazio keeper no chance. Fiorentina 1 Lazio 0.
Lazio regrouped and began playing some good football. Ferruccio Mazzola had a goal correctly disallowed for offside and then Arrigo Dolso, set up by Giorgio Chinaglia, missed the target with only the keeper to beat. In the 44th minute Mazzola went past two defenders but then, instead of passing to an unmarked Dolso, tried a shot which was comfortably blocked by Claudio Bandoni. Halftime Fiorentina 1 Lazio 0.
After a difficult start the Biancocelesti had grown into the game and would have deserved to be level.
In the second half Lazio were in control and attacked incessantly. In the 57th minute they increased their attacking potential by replacing Gaetano Legnaro with striker Juan Carlos Morrone.
The pitch became increasingly heavy thus favouring defensive play over attacking tactics.
The Argentine Gaucho was inspired and led Lazio on the attack. The deserved equaliser finally came ten minutes from the end. In the 80th minute Nello Governato floated in a freekick and Facco, taking advantage of a mistimed Bandoni jump, headed the ball in. Fiorentina 1 Lazio 1.
The heavy pitch by now had taken its toll and both sides seemed to settle for a draw. Final result, Fiorentina 1 Lazio 1.
A good away point for Lazio. The Biancocelesti had battled hard and shown strength of character, always believing they could get something out of the game.
Lazio were now joint 13th with Varese on 8 points while Fiorentina were joint 11th on 9 points with Sampdoria.
Who played for Fiorentina
Bandoni, Galdiolo, Longoni, Esposito, Ferrante, Brizi, D'Alessi, Merlo, Vitali, De Sisti, Chiarugi (6' E. Pellegrini)
Substitutes: Superchi
Manager: Pesaola
Who played for Lazio
Di Vincenzo, Wilson, Legnaro (57' Morrone), Governato, Facco, Marchesi, Massa, Mazzola II, Chinaglia, Magherini, Dolso
Substitutes: Sulfaro
Manager: Lorenzo
Referee: Panzino
Goals: 19' Merlo, 80' Facco
Sources
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