Manfredonia does it all
Lazio collect a much-needed point thanks to Manfredonia
Also on this day:
The season so far
Lazio were finally back in Serie A after three difficult years in the second division, the "purgatory" of Serie B. Unjustly relegated due to the fact that four players were involved in the Totonero scandal of 1980, in the first year the Biancocelesti had just missed out on promotion due to a missed penalty in the penultimate game of the season. The 1981-82 season was rather dismal and Lazio only managed to avoid relegation thanks to a Vincenzo D’Amico hat-trick in the last home game.
Promotion had been made possible thanks to the return from suspension of Bruno Giordano and Lionello Manfredonia who, together with D’Amico, and a combination of both young and experienced players, had managed to get over the line despite a long crisis in which the objective seemed to be slipping away. Fortunately, two wins and two draws in the last four games were enough to reach the long-awaited objective.
There was great enthusiasm among the fans mainly because Long John Giorgio Chinaglia, the hero of the 1973-74 scudetto, had returned as President with the promise of lots of money to invest in the club.
Despite the promises, the summer signings had not been great. The big names were young Danish forward Michael Laudrup, on loan from Juventus, and Brazilian International Joao Batista. These two were the first foreign players signed after the reopening of the borders. Other signings included: Daniele Filisetti (Atalanta), Massimo Piscedda (back from loan-Sanremese), Angelo Cupini (Cavese), Rinaldo Piraccini (Pistoiese), Claudio Vinazzani (Napoli), Mauro Della Martira (free transfer), Mario Piga (Perugia).
Leaving Lazio were Maurizio Moscatelli (Cavese), Ernesto Calisti (loan-Cavese), Carlo Perrone and Paolo Pochesci (both to Ascoli), Marco Saltarelli (Monza), Roberto Badiani (Vigor Senigallia), Maurizio Montesi (retired), Roberto Tavola (end of loan - Juventus), Claudio Ambu (Monza), Stefano Chiodi (Prato) and Leonardo Surro (Siena).
Giancarlo Morrone, who had substituted Roberto Clagluna towards the end of the previous season, was confirmed as manager.
1983-84 opened with the Coppa Italia. Six teams in Group 2: Juventus, Bari, Catanzaro, Perugia and Taranto. The top two qualified for the round of 16. Lazio had started reasonably well drawing at Catanzaro and beating Perugia, but then a surprise defeat at Taranto and a goalless draw at Bari meant that they had to beat Juventus at home in the last game to go through. They played well but the draw meant that they were out.
Anyway, Serie A was more important. The first game was a disaster. Verona hammered Lazio with four goals and only a late Laudrup brace disguised a bad defeat. The next game at home was a triumph: 3-0 against Inter. But in the next ten matches the Biancocelesti won only two (2-1 against Avellino and 3-0 Catania), drew two (both in Genoa) and lost six, including the derby. Lazio were second from last and Morrone was sacked. Former player Paolo Carosi was called up and after a controversial draw at home against Udinese, the Biancocelesti went to Ascoli on December 31. There, Antonio Bogoni with a killer tackle broke Giordano’s leg.
Lazio fell into despair, losing the Ascoli match as well as the next one at home against Pisa.
The Biancocelesti had only nine points after the first half of the season. Carosi realised that he had to do something and he put his faith in the players with greater experience. Life without probably one of the best centre forwards in Europe would not be easy and there was no backup plan. At this point it was up to D’Amico and Manfredonia to take matters into their own hands and step up to lead the team. In the first match of the second half of the season the Biancocelesti had drawn at home with Verona. Today they faced Inter who were not doing so well. Chance to take advantage of the situation.
The match: Sunday, January 22, 1984, Giuseppe Meazza, Milan
If it was not for Fernando Orsi, Inter could have been at least three up in the first 20 minutes. The Lazio keeper performed miracles on attempts from Beppe Baresi in the 7th minute, Evaristo Beccalossi in the 12th and Graziano Bini in the 17th. The Nerazzurri had already scored in the 10th minute when a Hansi Muller shot from outside the box was deflected by Lionello Manfredonia putting it out of Orsi's reach.
Manager Paolo Carosi had designed a midfield which was supposed to contain Inter effectively but which in reality just created confusion among the players who were lost. After 25 minutes, Inter lessened their grip on the match due also to a number of dirty fouls by Massimo Piscedda and Claudio VInazzani. The Nerazzurri possibly thought that there was no way the Biancocelesti could pose any kind of threat. And Lazio did not, since the first shot on goal, from Joao Batista, sailed over the crossbar in injury time.
But in the second half things changed and the Biancocelesti came back on a lot more determined. The fielding of Arcadio Spinozzi who had come on halfway through the first half for an injured Mauro Della Martira seemed to have finally given the team a better balance, at least defensively.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Muller tried to slalom his way through the Lazio players in his own penalty area and inadvertently gave the ball to Michael Laudrup who passed to Giancarlo Marini. His first shot was walled by the defence and on the rebound he miskicked it.
In the 49th minute a high ball in the box was not cleared by Spinozzi, Aldo Serena headed the ball to Alessandro Altobelli who volleyed towards the goal, in came Beccalossi who anticipated Orsi but kicked it wide.
Lazio’s second and final foray in the Inter box took place in the 63rd minute. Vinazzani was fouled 30 meters from the goal on the left. Gabriele Podavini took the free kick, big whack, miles away from the goal but a perfect assist for Manfredonia who volleyed it towards Walter Zenga who fumbled, Inter 1 Lazio 1.
Batista decided the Biancocelesti’s task of holding onto a draw would be relatively easy so in the 65th minute he made sure the referee showed him a second yellow card for a brutal foul on Muller. Inter put Lazio under siege and the ball left the Biancoceleste penalty area for possibly no more than three or four minutes in the remaining half an hour.
Inter had three chances to go back into the lead, but first Marini, clearing the ball on the line in 73rd minute after an Altobelli header, then Orsi, flying to save a Muller shot in the 76th minute, and finally Piscedda who managed to wall a Beppe Bergomi shot in the 84th minute, avoided defeat.
A gutsy performance by Lazio and a much-needed point.
Who played for Inter
Zenga, Ferri II, Bergomi, Bini, Bagni, G. Baresi, H. Muller, Sabato, Altobelli, Beccalossi, Serena
Substitutes: Recchi, Giamp.Marini, C.Muraro, Pasinato, Meazza
Manager: Radice
Who played for Lazio
Orsi, Filisetti, Della Martira (21’ Spinozzi), Piscedda, Batista, Podavini, Vinazzani, Manfredonia, D’Amico (60’ Meluso), Laudrup, G. Marini
Substitutes: Cacciatori, Piraccini, Piga
Manager: Carosi
Referee: Agnolin
Goals: 10’ Manfredonia (og), 63’ Manfredonia
Red Card : Batista 65'
What happened next
The last four games of the season became fundamental.
Fortunately, Giordano came back in record time. The week before the unlucky defeat against Fiorentina, a rumour spread that Lazio’s star player might be on the bench and possibly play the final minutes. Ten thousand fans travelled to Florence (including us!) in the hope of seeing their captain play. He came on with 20 minutes to go and this was the best news possible for Lazio.
The following match against Napoli saw Giordano regain his place in the centre of the Lazio attack. It took him just 30 seconds to score and the Biancocelesti managed to win the game 3-2. There was still hope. But defeat in the next game at Udine meant that the Biancocelesti needed three points in the last two games to stay in Serie A. The table at the bottom read: Napoli and Avellino 24, Genoa and Lazio 22, Pisa 21, Catania (relegated) 11. Last games were Lazio-Ascoli, Juventus-Avellino, Milan-Pisa, Fiorentina-Genoa and Napoli-Udinese.
At the end of the first half Napoli were winning 1-0, Avellino were losing while Pisa, Genoa and Lazio were drawing. This meant Napoli 26 points, Avellino 24, Genoa and Lazio 23, Pisa 21. Fortunately, Angelo Cupini scored for the Biancocelesti and Pisa lost so they were relegated.
Avellino managed to draw and Napoli won thus leaving the struggle. Going into the final match Lazio had 24 points and Genoa 23. Final games Pisa-Lazio, Genoa-Juve but the Bianconeri had already won the title so they had nothing to lose.
A mass exodus of Lazio fans accompanied the team to Tuscany. The Arena Garibaldi was almost entirely light blue and white.
Things seemed to be looking up when the radios announced Juventus had taken the lead with Antonio Cabrini at Marassi after seven minutes. Only three minutes later however, Genoa equalised with a Beniamino Vignola own goal. Back to square one until, only a minute later, Bruno-Gol scored for Lazio, with a header from a D'Amico free kick. Half time Pisa 0 Lazio 1 and Genoa 1 Juventus 1; Lazio 26 points, Genoa 24. Things were looking good.
At the beginning of the second half however Pisa equalised with a controversial goal by Danish Klaus Berggreen who seemed to score with his arm. So, 1-1 but Lazio were still safe.
Pisa pushed forward looking to go down with dignity and a win. Luca Birigozzi in the 52nd minute shot over the bar from a favourable position and five minutes later he had the mother of all chances. He found himself with an open goal and only Lazio's Batista on the goal line but somehow managed to get his shot cleared by the Brazilian. One of those chances that are easier to score than miss.
Having seen hell's door opening Lazio turned up the pressure and were rewarded in the 67th minute. Manfredonia was fouled in the area for a clear penalty. Giordano's low spot kick was not impeccable but went under keeper Alessandro Mannini for the 2-1.
Lazio then got a third, but Laudrup had his goal ruled out for offside. Still, going into the last two or three minutes the situation seemed under control, Lazio were winning and Genoa drawing.
Then in the 89th minute Stefano Bosetti scored for Genoa against the Italian Champions, Juventus. No panic, Lazio were still a point ahead. Then in the 90th minute Pisa equalised with Ferruccio Mariani. Lazio 25 points and Genoa 25 points.
A very tense few minutes of injury time saw Lazio hold on for their sacred point. Lazio were safe. The decider would not be goal difference (as in UK for example) but the direct matches in the league (0-0 and 2-1 to Lazio). The win over Genoa in January turned out to be a lifesaver for Lazio.
The fans were ecstatic and Chinaglia went down to the pitch to celebrate with the fans. “We will never suffer like this again”, he said. Alas, this was only the beginning of the suffering.
What happened in Serie A 1983-84
The 1982-83 scudetto had been won by Roma. A deserved win with a good team led by Brazilian Roberto Falcao in defence and midfield, Carlo Ancelotti, Agostino Di Bartolomei and Herbert Prohaska in midfield, Bruno Conti on the wing and Roberto Pruzzo in attack. The manager was Swedish Nils Liedholm.
The top six were Roma, Juventus, Inter, Verona, Fiorentina and Udinese.
This season Milan and Lazio were back up. The team to beat were obviously reigning champions Roma but Juventus were expected to push them hard and Fiorentina and Inter were fancied too.
Here are the main changes to the squads for the upcoming season. We will take into account the top six plus Milan (see here for Lazio).
Roma
Liedholm obviously stayed on as manager but the Giallorossi made a few changes.
Arriving in the capital were: defender Emiliano Oddi (Verona), midfielder Toninho Cerezo (Atlético Mineiro) and forward Francesco Graziani (Fiorentina).
Leaving were: defender Pietro Vierchowod (Sampdoria - end of loan), midfielder Herbert Prohaska (Austria Vienna) and forward Maurizio Iorio (Verona).
The Lupi had the European Cup too and the team looked pretty similar to the previous year.
Juventus
Juventus had finished 2nd and surprisingly lost the European Cup final to Hamburger SV 0-1. Giovanni Trapattoni was confirmed as manager.
Arriving were: goalkeeper Stefano Tacconi (Avellino), defender Nicola Caricola (Bari), midfielder Beniamino Vignola (Avellino) and forward Domenico Penzo (Verona).
Leaving were: legendary goalkeeper Dino Zoff (retiring after 479 matches), midfielder Domenico Marocchino (Sampdoria), forwards Roberto Bettega (Toronto Blizzard after 490 matches) and Giuseppe Galderisi (Verona).
A first season without Zoff but Tacconi was a highly rated keeper and Bettega had left in May anyway so his departure had already been metabolised.
Inter
The 3rd placed team had changed managers from Rino Marchesi to Luigi Radice. The Nerazzurri had not been very active on the transfer market.
Arriving were: midfielder Ludo Coeck (Anderlecht), midfielder Giancarlo Pasinato (Milan - back from loan) and forward Aldo Serena (Milan - back from loan).
Leaving were goalkeeper Ivano Bordon (Bologna after 388 matches), midfielder Gabriele Oriali (Fiorentina after 398 matches) and forward Juary (Ascoli).
So few changes but some popular players leaving.
Verona
The Gialloblu had finished a positive 4th and reached the final of Coppa Italia. They kept on their manager Osvaldo Bagnoli but had been quite active on the market.
Arriving in Verona were: defenders Marco Ferroni (Sampdoria), Massimo Storgato (Juventus - on loan), Silvano Fontolan (Como), midfielder Luciano Bruni (Reggiana), forwards Giuseppe Galderisi (Juventus), Maurizio Iorio (Roma) and Joe Jordan (Milan).
Leaving were: defenders Adriano Fedele (Pordenone), Emidio Oddi (Roma), Luciano Spinosi (Milan), midfielders Dirceu (Napoli), Luigi Manueli (Alessandria), forward Domenico Penzo (Juventus).
The Scaligeri had lost their top scorer Penzo but brought in two valid replacements.
Fiorentina
5th place Fiorentina had confirmed Giancarlo De Sisti as manager but had a mainly unchanged squad.
Arriving were: midfielders Gabriele Oriali (Inter), Pasquale Iachini (Genoa), forwards Paolo Monelli (Ascoli - back from loan) and Paolo Pulici (Udinese).
Leaving were: midfielders Andrea Manzo (Milan) and Patrizio Sala (Pisa) plus forward Francesco Graziani (Roma).
A similar level squad plus World Champion Oriali.
Udinese
The 6th placed Friulani had confirmed manager Enzo Ferrari. The Bianconeri had made a few changes to the squad.
Arriving were: goalkeeper Fausto Brini (Ascoli), defender Luigi De Agostini (Catanzaro - back from loan), midfielders Loris Dominissini (Pordenone), Alberto Marchetti (Cagliari) and forward Loris Pradella (Monza). The main signing however was Brazilian star Zico (Flamengo).
Leaving were: goalkeeper Roberto Corti (Ascoli), Vincenzo Chiarenza (Lazio - end of loan), midfielder Angelo Orazi (Campania), forward Giorgio De Giorgis (Triestina), Paolo Pulici (Fiorentina) and Ivica Šurjak (Real Zaragoza).
So great excitement in Udine for Zico with 27,000 season tickets sold.
Milan
Newly promoted as Serie B winners the Rossoneri had confirmed Ilario Castagner as manager.
Arriving were: defenders Filippo Galli (Pescara), Eric Gerets (Standard Liege), Luciano Spinosi (Verona), midfielder Andrea Manzo (Fiorentina) and forward Luther Blissett (Watford).
Leaving were: defender Nazzareno Canuti (Inter - end of loan), midfielders Stefano Cuoghi (Modena), Tiziano Manfrin (Pistoiese), Giancarlo Pasinato (Inter - end of loan), Francesco Romano (Triestina) plus forwards Joe Jordan (Verona) and Aldo Serena (Inter - end of loan).
Not much apparent improvement and this was Serie A.
August/September
Before the start of the campionato there was the Coppa Italia. 48 teams participated (16 of Serie A, 20 of Serie B and 12 of Serie C) divided into 8 groups. The first two went through. Four games were played in August.
The teams that qualified for the round of 16 (to be played in February) were: Sampdoria, Triestina, Juventus, Bari, Udinese, Varese, Cesena, Avellino, Roma, Milan, Torino, Vicenza, Verona, Reggiana, Ascoli and Fiorentina.
September
In Serie A Roma started their title defence well winning all three. Juventus won 7-0 on their debut against Ascoli but then dropped a point at Pisa. The two Milanese struggled, Milan were destroyed 4-0 by Avellino and Inter 3-0 by Lazio. Zico effect was working so far and Fiorentina on form.
Table
Roma 6, Juventus 5, Udinese 4, Fiorentina 4, Verona, 4, Avellino 4, Torino 4, Lazio 3, Sampdoria 3, Catania 2, Milan 2, Ascoli 2, Genoa 2, Inter 1, Pisa 1, Napoli 1.
Europe
In the first round of the European Cup, Roma eliminated Gothenburg 4-2 on aggregate. In the first round of the Cup Winners Cup Juventus hammered Lechia Gdansk 10-2 on aggregate and would now face Paris Saint Germain. In the UEFA Cup, Verona and Inter eliminated Red Star Belgrade and Trabzonspor 4-2 and 2-1 respectively. Next up for them were Sturm Graz and Groningen.
October
In Serie A
Roma's first defeat (Torino) but then won derby and stayed top as Juventus lost their derby and again at home to Sampdoria. Verona the surprise in 2nd place, also beating Fiorentina 3-1 in leading positions' clash. Lazio started to struggle with one point in four games.
Table
Roma 12, Verona, 11, Juventus 9, Torino 9, Fiorentina 8, Avellino 8, Milan 8, Udinese 7, Sampdoria 6, Ascoli 6, Catania 5, Inter 5, Genoa 5, Napoli 5, Lazio 4, Pisa 4
Europe
In the second round of the European Cup, Roma beat CSKA Sofia 1-0 away from home. They had a good chance to go through to the quarter finals as Juventus in the Cup Winners Cup, drawing 2-2 in Paris with P.S.G. Inter lost 0-2 away to Groningen in the second round of the UEFA Cup and Verona drew 2-2 at home with Sturm Graz. A difficult task ahead of them if they wanted to qualify for the quarter finals.
November
In Serie A
Roma lost top spot, losing away at Udine and Inter and then drawing at home to Ascoli. Juventus beat Verona 3-1, earned five points and took lead with Verona who continued to do well. Inter won derby 2-0. Torino and Sampdoria pushed up table, the Blucerchiati also won the Genoese derby. Lazio won two out of three and rose out of relegation zone.
Table
Juventus 14, Verona 14, Roma 13, Torino 13, Fiorentina 12, Sampdoria 12, Udinese 10, Inter 10, Milan 10, Ascoli 9, Avellino 8, Lazio 8, Napoli 8, Pisa 7, Genoa 7, Catania 5
Europe
Roma won the second leg of the European Cup again 1-0. The would go on to play BFC Dynamo in the quarter finals in March. Juventus drew 0-0 against PSG and went through on away goals. Next up were Haka from Finland. In the UEFA Cup Verona could not do better than a goalless match in Graz and were eliminated. Inter however won 5-1 and would face Austria Vienna in March.
December
The big match Juventus-Roma ended up 2-2. All front runners dropped points, Juve drew at Udine, Roma in Florence while Verona lost two and drew two and dropped back. Torino kept up, beating Milan away and Sampdoria at home. Lazio back in B zone with one point out of eight.
Table
Juventus 20, Roma 19, Torino 19, Sampdoria 17, Fiorentina 16, Verona 16, Udinese 15, Milan 15, Inter 15, Ascoli 14, Genoa 11, Napoli 11, Avellino 10, Pisa 10, Lazio 9, Catania 7
January
Verona picked up and beat Roma 1-0. Juventus stayed top with two wins and two draws. Torino kept up challenge despite losing 1-4 in Florence. Zico's Udinese climbed table with seven points. Lazio got an away point against Inter and beat Genoa 2-1 at home in a crucial relegation clash.
Table
Juventus 26, Torino 24, Fiorentina 23, Udinese 22, Verona 22, Roma 22, Sampdoria 20, Milan 20, Inter 19, Ascoli 17, Napoli 15, Lazio 13, Pisa 13, Avellino 12, Genoa 12, Catania 8
February
Roma beat Torino 2-1 and Verona beat Udinese 2-1 in high table matches. Torino faltered again losing derby 1-2. Juventus had biggest point cushion so far +4 while Roma rose to 2nd place and Inter improved. At the bottom Catania already looked doomed, Genoa in trouble, Napoli were risking big time while Lazio clinched important 2-1 home win against Sampdoria and drew derby 2-2 in ten men.
Table
Juventus 32, Roma 27, Fiorentina 26, Torino 26, Inter 24, Udinese 24, Milan 22, Ascoli 21, Sampdoria 21, Pisa 17, Lazio 16, Napoli 16, Avellino 16, Genoa 13, Catania 9.
In Coppa Italia, Verona, Fiorentina, Bari (who eliminated Juventus), Roma, Sampdoria, Udinese, Torino and Milan all qualified for the quarter finals which would be played in June.
March
In Serie A
Juventus' lead was cut to three points. The Bianconeri lost 1-2 in Verona and drew away Sampdoria while Roma won in Naples, thrashed Udinese 4-1 (Zico got injured and was out for 5 games) but dropped a point at Ascoli. Fiorentina still 3rd beating Verona 2-0. The Milanese derby ended goalless. Lazio got their monthly vital win defeating Torino 1-0 at home. At the bottom a big step towards survival for Avellino while Catania were practically gonners.
Table
Juventus 35, Roma 32, Fiorentina 31, Torino 29, Verona 28, Inter 28, Udinese 27, Milan 25, Ascoli 24, Sampdoria 23, Avellino 21, Lazio 19, Napoli 19, Pisa 18, Genoa 15, Catania 10
Europe
In the European Cup quarter finals, Roma crushed BFC Dynamo 3-0 at home so their 1-2 defeat in Berlin was harmless. They would now meet Dundee United in the semifinals. Juventus eliminated Finnish side Haka (2-0 on aggregate) and would now face Manchester United in the semis. Inter lost 2-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Cup quarter finals against Austria Vienna and at home could go no further than a 1-1 draw, so were eliminated.
April
In Serie A
The big Scudetto match Roma -Juventus ended up goalless, suiting the Bianconeri fine who now could cruise towards the title. Juve then gained another point as Roma were held 2-2 at Avellino. The teams behind slowed down while further down it was very tight. Lazio's monthly win (Napoli 3-2) was not enough to avoid them being joint third bottom with a revived Genoa, with two games to go. It would be down to fine details and possibly goal difference in direct matches.
Table
Juventus 42, Roma 38, Fiorentina 34, Verona 32, Udinese 31, Torino 31, Inter 31, Ascoli 29, Sampdoria 28, Milan 28, Avellino 24, Napoli 24, Genoa 22, Lazio 22, Pisa 21, Catania 11
Europe
Roma lost the first leg of the European Cup semi final 2-0 in Dundee but managed to overturn the result by winning 3-0 at home. They would now play in the final in Rome against Liverpool who eliminated Dinamo Bucharest 3-1 on aggregate. Juventus also managed to reach the final, of the Cup Winners Cup, by beating Man United 3-2 on aggregate, thanks to a last second goal from Paolo Rossi. They would now face Porto, who eliminated Aberdeen, in the final in Basel.
May
In Serie A
Juventus were proclaimed Champions in the penultimate game drawing 1-1 at home to Avellino. Roma drew at Catania, beat Verona and finished 2nd. Fiorentina closed their positive season with two draws and 3rd place. Inter with a late surge finished 4th. It was a dramatic climax down the bottom. Lazio beat Ascoli 2-1 at home, Genoa earned an away point in Florence but Pisa lost in Milan and were down. So it was the last match that decided the third team to fall between Genoa and Lazio. Genoa beat an already satisfied Juventus but Lazio clinched an away point at still battling Pisa, drawing 2-2. On the same points, 25 each, Lazio stayed up thanks to the 0-0 away draw against Genoa in September and the 2-1 home win in January.
Final table
Juventus 43, Roma 41, Fiorentina 36, Inter 35, Torino 33, Verona 32, Sampdoria 32, Milan 32, Udinese 31, Ascoli 29, Avellino 26, Napoli 26, Lazio 25, Genoa 25, Pisa 22, Catania 12
Europe
Roma lost the European Cup final at "home". After the end of extra time the score was 1-1 and Liverpool then prevailed on penalties.
Juventus on the other hand won the Cup Winners Cup by beating Porto 2-1 in the final.
June
In Coppa Italia Bari continued their good run eliminating Fiorentina, and played Verona in the semis. The other semifinal was between Roma, who beat Milan after extra time, and Torino. In the semis, Roma and Verona dominated their opponents and met in the final. The Giallorossi then won the Cup 2-1 on aggregate.
Scudetto - Juventus
Coppa Italia - Roma
Relegation - Catania, Pisa, Genoa
Promotion - Atalanta, Como, Cremonese
Top scorer - Michel Platini 20 goals
European Cup Qualifier - Juventus
Cup Winners Cup Qualifier - Roma
UEFA Cup Qualifiers - Fiorentina and Inter
Sources
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