Game 29, Serie A
Sunday, April 23, 1967
Stadio San Siro, Milan
Inter Lazio 0-0
Inter attack for most of the match but can't find a way past Cei
The season started with a 1-5 away defeat to Fiorentina. A sign of things to come. Since then Lazio had won 4 (including Inter 1-0 at home), drawn 14 (including Milan 2-2 away and Juventus 0-0 at home) and lost 10 (including derby 0-1). Lazio were currently joint 13th, with Vicenza and SPAL on 22 points, in the last relegation slot. The main problem, and not a minor one, was scoring goals, only 16 so far in 28 games. A week earlier the Biancocelesti had drawn at Vicenza, 0-0 unsurprisingly.
Inter were currently top of the table, on 44 points, four ahead of Juventus, marching towards the Scudetto. Lazio were struggling. This was a difficult game for the Biancocelesti, to put it mildly.
The match
Lazio had brought the Roman sun with them today although there was a slight fresh north wind blowing.
Inter decided to rest goalkeeper Giuliano Sarti, midfielders Gianfranco Bedin, Sandro Mazzola and forward Jair in view of the important upcoming European game in Bulgaria. Lazio meanwhile were without Pietro Dotti who was suspended and replaced by Giovanni Masiello for his Serie A debut.
Inter pushed forward immediately hoping to get things over with quickly. Their first chance was a Luís Vinicio header, after Renato Cappellini had headed the ball on from an Angelo Domenghini corner, but it went just high.
Lazio responded with a half-hearted weak header by Enrico Burlando.
Then it was Inter at the charge again. Luisito Suarez got past Paolo Carosi and let off a cracking shot but it was saved brilliantly by Idilio Cei. Suarez then had a freekick opportunity but this time the keeper saved comfortably.
Lazio put their noses out briefly in the 26th minute but, from a Juan Carlos Morrone corner, Romano Bagatti couldn't get a touch obstructed by Tarcisio Burgnich.
Around the half hour mark Inter had a huge double chance. Mariolino Corso floated in a free kick and Vinicio got a decent header in, it was saved by Cei but only as far as Domenghini who hit it first time but too centrally and the keeper, leaping off the ground, managed to block it. Great reflexes but the Italian international should have done better. Halftime Inter 0 Lazio 0.
Inter obviously on top but Lazio were proving a tough nut to crack.
The second half was no different. In the 51st minute Cappellini tried his luck with a powerful long-range effort but Cei was quick off his feet to dive and deny the Lombard striker.
Lazio finally went close in the 56th minute when Rino Marchesi suddenly unleashed a blistering long-range strike but it went just wide.
In the 62nd minute Inter almost took the lead but Aristide Guarneri's header shaved the post.
There was a controversial episode in the 75th minute. Morrone had a prolonged battle with Guarneri towards the corner flag just outside the area, the Argentine went past the defender near the by-line and was then clearly tripped. A blatant foul and clear penalty but not for the referee. Lazio, at San Siro, against league leaders Inter... highly unlikely.
In the last ten minutes the Nerazzurri attacked constantly and Lazio pulled back into the trenches even more.
In the 85th minute Cappellini had a cross goal effort which went extremely close to the far post. Then a Suarez-Corso combination saw the Italian hammer a shot towards goal but Cei confirmed his good form by tipping it over the bar. There was no more time for further assaults and the referee blew up. Final score Inter 0 Lazio 0.
Inter had attacked for at least 70 minutes but Lazio deserved the point if only for their sheer doggedness. The defence had played well but the whole team had helped out in a resilient performance. The denied penalty was obviously brushed under the carpet and not really talked about.
A useful point for Lazio who were now 5th bottom, on 23 points. Unfortunately, SPAL had won but Vicenza had lost. Lazio were safe for now but still had a long way to go.
Inter saw their lead at the top reduced to three points as Juventus had beaten Venezia 2-1 at home. Five games to go, Inter were still in the driving seat but had to be careful.
Who played for Inter
Miniussi, Burgnich, Facchetti, Bicicli, Guarneri, Picchi, Domenghini, Cappellini, Vinicio, Suarez, Corso
Manager: Herrera
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Neri
Referee: De Robbio
Sources
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