Lazio out of cup despite win over Atalanta
Lazio give everything they have got but ultimately it's not enough after the away result.
Also on this day: January 25, 1981, Lazio Taranto 1-1. A poor performance by the Biancocelesti who look far from Serie A material. Player of the day: Giuseppe Greco
The season so far
The previous year Lazio had finally won promotion back to Serie A. In a packed Olimpico, already under renovation for Italia '90, Lazio had beaten Taranto 3-1 to book their place back in the big time.
The new season started with a new manager. The -9 point deduction and promotion hero Eugenio Fascetti had left and in had come Giuseppe Materazzi.
Lazio’s promotion top scorer Paolo Monelli (13 goals) had also gone (Bari) along with midfielders Vincenzo Esposito (Atalanta) and Domenico Caso (Latina) while loanee forward Giuseppe Galderisi had returned to his original club (Milan) after a disappointing spell at Lazio.
Lazio fans were extremely sad to see Fascetti leave and he would never be forgotten but they also had reasons to be optimistic. Lazio were out of the purgatory of Serie B and had bought some interesting players.
Three South-Americans for a start; relatively unknown (pre-internet days) defender Nelson Gutierrez (River Plate) and Abel Dezotti (Newell's Old Boys) plus better known, promising forward Ruben Sosa (Real Zaragoza). Lazio had also signed some Italians; defender Marco Monti (Virescit Bergamo) plus midfielders Andrea Icardi (Atalanta) and Claudio Sclosa (Pisa).
In the league Lazio were in the mid-lower part of the table but just ten days earlier had triumphed in the derby beating Roma 1-0 with a Paolo Di Canio goal.
Today however was a Coppa Italia game, the return leg of the quarterfinals. The Italian Cup has known many contorted formulas and this year was no different. In the first group round Lazio played five games; winning three (Licata 3-0, Campobasso 2-0 and Messina away 4-3) and losing two (Pescara 2-1 and Milan 2-1, both away).
In the second round they played another three games; winning two (Fiorentina 1-0 at home and Udinese 1-0 away) and drawing one (Inter 1-1 at home) thus qualifying for a double quarter final tie with Atalanta. Lazio’s top scorers so far were Abel Dezotti with 6 and Rubén Sosa with 4.
The away leg had not gone too well and Lazio lost 2-0 in Bergamo. It would be tough to overturn that scoreline, especially with no away goals.
Today's opposition Atalanta were newly promoted like Lazio but they were having an excellent season. Under manager Emiliano Mondonico they had 18 points in Serie A. They had lost on their debut at Napoli (1-0) but had not been beaten since. They had won 6, drawn 7 and only lost that opening game. They had already beaten Lazio in Rome 1-0, Milan away (2-1) and just three days before today's game had won 1-0 away at Juventus. Their top scorer was Brazilian Evair with 5 goals (he had scored in the last three games).
In the Coppa Italia, like Lazio, the Nerazzurri had passed two group rounds to reach today's stage. In the first they won three (Taranto 3-0, Cosenza 2-1 away and Verona 1-0), drew one (1-1 at home to Juve) and lost one (2-1 away at Vicenza).
In the second round they won two (Monza 2-1 away and Bari 3-1 at home) and lost one (Sampdoria 1-0 away). Their top cup scorer was former Lazio Oliviero Garlini with 4 goals.
Atalanta had won the away leg against Lazio 2-0. On January 4, goals by Gianfranco Serioli after 59 minutes and an Evair penalty fifteen minutes from time gave the Bergamaschi a seemingly comfortable advantage coming down to Rome.
The match: Wednesday, January 25, 1989, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The tactical pattern of today's quarter-final was obvious from the start. All out attack by Lazio while Atalanta tried to control the predictable onslaught and strike on the break.
In front of a 20,000 crowd both sides put out their best possible line ups in an attempt to reach the prestige of a cup semi-final.
Lazio’s first chance came after 13 minutes but Sosa missed a good opportunity from an Antonio Rizzolo cross. Three minutes later, however, Lazio took the lead. A Sosa free kick was headed in by defender Raimondo Marino. Lazio 1 Atalanta 0.
Lazio continued to attack even if the next chance fell to Evair whose shot was saved by Valerio Fiori with his shoulder. Lazio pushed hard for another goal and had several opportunities; a Sosa strike and two Marino headers went close. The more they surged forward the more space Atalanta could exploit on the counter attack. In the 42nd minute, with only Gutierrez at the back, Robert Prytz put Armando Madonna (future Lazio) through on goal and he made no mistake. Lazio 1 Atalanta 1 at half time.
The beginning of the second forty-five minutes saw some changes on the field. For Lazio Dezotti and Paolo Beruatto came on for Di Canio and Antonio Acerbis while Atalanta replaced Evair with Serioli (the Bergamaschi had Inter four days later).
The game pattern continued to be the same. Lazio attacking head down and Atalanta in defence. Lazio were rewarded almost immediately as in the 49th minute they were ahead again. A corner by Sosa was not cleared and, after a defensive mix up, Angelo Gregucci slotted in the 2-1.
Game on but Lazio still needed two more goals. They gave it everything they had, a few minutes later they hit a post and then a Dezotti shot went just wide. They were attacking constantly but also becoming increasingly exposed to potential breaks by the visitors. A lethal one came in the 56th minute when an Atalanta counter was finalized by Madonna again to make it 2-2.
Game over or qualification anyway; Lazio now needed three more goals. The game now became end to end with chances for both teams. For Atalanta Walter Bonacina (future Roma) went close on a Cesare Prandelli assist (future Italy coach) and Serioli almost scored again. For Lazio Sosa tried several left footed shots with little luck. In the 62nd minute Lazio replaced sluggish Gutierrez with Massimo Piscedda.
In the 82nd minute Lazio scored, giving them a slither of hope. A long Gregucci cross was well domesticated by Gabriele Pin who then beat Fabrizio Ferron for 3-2. Lazio still believed and Gregucci had a shot cleared off the line by a defender but they ran out of time. They won 3-2 but it was not enough, it would be Atalanta to play Sampdoria in the semi-final.
Lazio had played well and thrown everything at Atalanta but they had a mountain to climb from the start and would always risk being punished by Atalanta's well oiled tactical set up.
Who played for Lazio
Fiori, Marino, Icardi, G. Pin, Gregucci, Gutierrez (62' Piscedda), Di Canio (46' Dezotti) Acerbis (48' Beruatto), Rizzolo, Muro, Sosa
Substitutes: Martina, Monti
Manager: Materazzi
Who played for Atalanta
Ferron, Contratto, Pasciullo, Prandelli, Barcella, Progna, V.Esposito, Prytz (60' De Patre), Evair (46' Serioli), Bonacina (80' Caverzan), Madonna
Manager: Mondonico
Referee: Sguizzato
Goals: 16' Marino, 41' Madonna, 49' Gregucci, 56' Madonna, 82' Pin
What happened next
It was back to the league for Lazio. Four days later they drew 0-0 at home against Juventus.
Lazio ended 10th that season on 29 points but it felt good enough just to be back in the big time. It was a year of draws, 19 in total. Lazio would not win another game until the 14th May (1-0 vs Pisa). They drew the return derby 0-0 and their season was not without relegation risks. These were ultimately blown away on the 18th June with a 1-0 home win against Sampdoria (Dezotti) played at the Stadio Flaminio as the Olimpico was undergoing improvements for Italia '90. Lazio ended the year with 5 wins, 19 draws and 10 defeats. Top scorer was Rubén Sosa with 12 goals (8 in Serie A).
A season that will always be remembered for Di Canio's derby and the joy the long awaited and unexpected win brought to all Lazio fans.
Atalanta were ultimately not able to reach the final. They were defeated by Sampdoria in both legs; 2-3 at home and 1-3 away. It was a great Sampdoria and they would eventually win the cup (4-1 on aggregate against Napoli).
In Serie A Atalanta achieved an excellent 6th place with 36 points. Their top scorer was Evair with 10 league goals.
The scudetto was won by Trapattoni's record breaking Inter.
Lazio 1988-89
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 34 | 5 | 19 | 10 | 23 |
Coppa Italia | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 17 |
Total | 44 | 11 | 20 | 13 | 40 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Ruben Sosa | 43 | 33 | 10 |
Dezotti | 38 | 29 | 9 |
Beruatto | 37 | 28 | 9 |
Di Canio | 37 | 30 | 7 |
Monti | 36 | 29 | 7 |
Pin | 36 | 27 | 9 |
Top five goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Ruben Sosa | 12 | 8 | 4 |
Dezotti | 9 | 3 | 6 |
Gregucci | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Rizzolo | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Pin | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Let's talk about Gabriele Pin
Gabriele Pin was born in Vittorio Veneto (Treviso), on September 10, 1962.
He spent his formative career at Juventus. From 13 years of age to 17 he was with the Bianconeri youth sector.
In 1979 he joined the first team squad and made his debut in 1980 in the last game of the season against Fiorentina. The following year he did not get any games so he was then sent out to get experience.
In 1981/82 he played for Sanremese in C1 making 22 appearances and scoring 1 goal. In 1982/83 he was at Forli in C1, again playing 22 times but scoring 5 goals.
Between 1983 and 1985 he was at Parma. The first year the Gialloblu were promoted to Serie B but the next they were immediately relegated back to the third tier. Over the two seasons Pin played 67 league games with 7 goals, plus 9 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal.
In 1985 he was called back "home" to Juventus. He was not first choice but played 21 Serie A games (1 goal against Bari), 7 in Coppa Italia (1 goal against Casertana), and 4 in Europe (1 goal against Jeunesse d'Esch). Juventus won both the scudetto and the Intercontinental Cup against Argentinos Juniors.
In 1986 he started his Roman adventure joining Lazio in Serie B. In his first year he was part of the team that avoided relegation after starting the season with a 9 point deduction. Pin played 40 matches under manager Eugenio Fascetti (including the play outs against Campobasso and Taranto) and scored 2 goals (Modena and Cagliari) plus another 5 in Coppa Italia (talk about midfield Stakhanovite...).
The following year Lazio won promotion to Serie A, Pin playing 36 league games and scoring 2 goals (Sambenedettese and Triestina) and another 5 games in Coppa Italia.
So in 1988/89 Lazio were back in Serie A and they kept on their reliable midfield dynamo. Pin made 27 league appearances and scored 2 goals (Verona and Torino) and 9 in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Atalanta).
In 1989/90 he again played regularly with 31 league appearances but also had his most prolific year with 6 goals (Udinese, Napoli, 2 Cesena, Bologna and Inter) plus 2 games in Coppa Italia.
In 1990/91 he was almost ever present with 32 league appearances and 2 goals (a brace against Torino) plus another 2 games in Coppa Italia.
The 1991/92 season would be his last in Rome but he was consistent as usual and played 32 Serie A games and scored 1 goal (Genoa) plus 4 more games in Coppa Italia. At the end of the season with the imminent arrivals of Paul Gascoigne, Aron Winter, Diego Fuser and Dario Marcolin, all in midfield, for Pin it was time to move on.
At Lazio over six years Pin played 225 games with 16 goals and had been captain for three seasons.
Pin moved on but also back, joining Parma again in 1992. In Emilia he played his usual reliable, solid football for four seasons. He made another 98 Serie A appearances (2 goals - Fiorentina and Atalanta), 21 in Coppa Italia and 33 in Europe. Parma had great teams in those years (Asprilla, Brolin, Melli, Osio, Zola, Buffon, Stoichkov, Cannavaro just to mention a few) and Pin won a Cup Winners Cup (1993), a European Supercup (1993) and a UEFA Cup (1995).
In 1996/97 he moved up the road in Emilia to Piacenza in Serie A. Pin played 21 league games (plus 1 in Coppa Italia) contributing to the "Poppies" survival after a play off against Cagliari in Naples (3-1).
At this point at 35 years of age Pin called it a day and retired. He had been the midfield playmaker in 552 professional games and scored 35 goals. He had an excellent club career playing for prestigious clubs and winning silverware.
He then moved into a coaching career. Firstly at Parma in their youth sector and then as assistant to Arrigo Sacchi, Renzo Ulivieri and Cesare Prandelli. It was with Prandelli that Pin struck up a special rapport and was to be his assistant for countless teams; Parma, Roma (very briefly due to Prandelli's wife's health problems), Fiorentina, Galatasaray, Valencia, Al-Nasr, Genoa, Fiorentina again, plus of course the Italian national team (2010-2014- Runners up at Euro 2012).
In June 2021 Pin accepted the job at Esteghlal (Iran) as assistant to Farhad Majidi. He is currently assistant coach at Al-Ittihad Kalba in the United Arab Emirates, still under Farhad Majidi.
As a player Pin was a central midfielder. He could play in the heart of midfield or in front of the defence. He was an extremely dynamic player, had an excellent sense of position and astute tactical geometry. He was a perfect link between defence and attack. He was clean and technically precise with the knack of always making himself available for his team mates whether it was for defending or constructing an attacking move, always seemingly to have the time to make the right decision. He was a reliable player rarely missing games through injury or suspension. He was the type of player most people would put first or pretty high up on their list when picking a team.
What about Pin and Lazio? He was with the Biancocelesti for 6 years, captain for 3, played 225 games, scored 16 goals, was part of the heroic -9 team, won promotion, played in the Di Canio winning derby… I think it's fair to say Gabriele Pin has his name in a prominent position in the Lazio history books.
Appearances for Lazio
Season | Total | Serie A | Serie B | Serie B Play Outs | Coppa Italia |
1986-87 | 45 | - | 38 | 2 | 5 |
1987-88 | 41 | - | 36 | - | 5 |
1988-89 | 36 | 27 | - | - | 9 |
1989-90 | 33 | 31 | - | - | 2 |
1990-91 | 34 | 32 | - | - | 2 |
1991-92 | 36 | 32 | - | - | 4 |
Total | 225 | 122 | 74 | 2 | 27 |
Goals for Lazio
Season | Total | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1986-87 | 2 | - | 2 | - |
1987-88 | 2 | - | 2 | - |
1988-89 | 3 | 2 | - | 1 |
1989-90 | 6 | 6 | - | - |
1990-91 | 2 | 2 | - | - |
1991-92 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
Total | 16 | 11 | 4 | 1 |
Sources
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