Game 30, Serie A
Sunday, May 23, 1971
Stadio San Siro, Milan
Inter Lazio 1-1
Sandro Mazzola equalises late on after Nanni's goal had illuded Lazio of beating league champions
In Serie A things had not gone well. Lazio had just been relegated again. A week earlier Lazio had lost 0-1 at home to Vicenza and that had been the nail in the coffin.
On May 2, after beating Foggia 5-0, Inter had become Italian Champions.
So, completely opposite moods on this last day of the season. Inter euphoric and Lazio subdued.
The match
A sell out 80,000 crowd on an overcast day to celebrate Inter's scudetto.
Inter played their best XI while Lazio were without midfielders Nello Governato and Rino Marchesi plus forward Juan Carlos Morrone.
Inter started off strongly on the waves of enthusiasm. Mario Bertini went close but his shot was cleared off the line by Pino Wilson.
Lazio then surprisingly hit back and had two chances of their own. First a Ferruccio Mazzola lob shaved the post and then Giorgio Chinaglia went on one of his runs, powering past half of Inter's defence but Lido Vieri came out and dived low to block the ball.
There was then some controversy as Roberto Boninsegna, possibly frustrated by Lazio's tight defending, blatantly punched Giuseppe Papadopulo in the face but neither referee Trinchieri nor the linesman saw anything.
Lazio were playing well and had dangerous shots by Mazzola, Giuseppe Massa and Giuliano Fortunato saved by Vieri.
In the 24th minute however came Lazio’s deserved lead. Chinaglia hit a low central free kick but Vieri was not able to hold onto it and the quickest on the rebound was Franco Nanni who scored. Inter 0 Lazio 1. A damper on the celebrations.
Lazio then defended well until half time and went to the break unexpectedly in front. Inter 0 Lazio 1.
For the second half Inter gave some of the reserves their moment of glory too. Goalkeeper Vieri was replaced by a young Ivano Bordon and defender Mauro Bellugi came off for future Lazio legend, Mario Frustalupi.
In the second half Inter predictably pushed forward but Lazio were concentrated and dangerous on the counter attack. Gaetano Legnaro wasted two opportunities and Bordon was safe on a Ferruccio Mazzola effort.
In the 57th minute Mario Giubertoni went in hard on Chinaglia and "Long John" was forced on the side-lines for seven minutes.
With Lazio temporarily in ten men, Inter intensified their attacks. Rosario Di Vincenzo saved well from Giacinto Facchetti and then from top Serie A scorer "Bonimba" Boninsegna.
In the 73rd minute the pain became too much even for Chinaglia and he limped off, replaced by Arrigo Dolso.
Dolso could have scored immediately but Guido Magherini was a bit selfish and, after a good run of his own, "did not see" the fresh Lazio replacement in a better position.
With a few minutes to go the crowd started gathering on the side-lines. In this uneasy situation Inter equalised. In the 89th minute, despite a clear foul by Bertini on Magherini in midfield, the referee gestured to play on and the ball reached Frustalupi who tried a shot, the ball ricocheted up in the air on the right where Sandro Mazzola twisted and volleyed in a low shot in on the far post. Inter 1 Lazio 1.
The fans at this point obviously ran onto the pitch unable to quell their enthusiasm. After eight long minutes the authorities finally managed to clear the playing field but the referee only played about a minute before blowing up for full time and allowing the second and definite fan invasion. Final score, Inter 1 Lazio 1.
A pity for Lazio who had played well. Inter had obviously attacked more, as their 16 corners to 1 showed, but Lazio had defended well and had the better chances to score. More regrets for a season that could have been more positive but some optimism for the future as Chinaglia, Wilson and Nanni had confirmed to be quality players and a certain "Maestro" was soon on his way.
Who played for Inter
Vieri (46' Bordon), Bellugi (46' Frustalupi), Facchetti, Bedin, Giubertoni, Burgnich, Jair, Bertini, Boninsegna, Mazzola I, Corso
Manager: Invernizzi
Who played for Lazio
Di Vincenzo (89' Sulfaro), Papadopulo, Legnaro, Nanni, Polentes, Wilson, Massa, Mazzola II, Chinaglia (73' Dolso), Magherini, Fortunato
Manager: Lorenzo
Referee: Trinchieri
Goals: 24' Nanni, 89' Mazzola I
Sources
Comments