Post Season Friendly
Friday, June 17, 1983
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Ajax 3-1
A hat-trick by “Bruno-gol” lights up promotion celebration
After three difficult years Lazio were back in Serie A.
To celebrate a friendly against Ajax Amsterdam was organised.
Ajax had just won the Dutch league, the Eredivisie, under manager Aad de Mos. Top league scorer was former Pisa, Wim Kieft with 19 goals while top scorer in all competitions was Gerald Vanenburg with 20.
Ajax had also won the Dutch Cup, the KNVB beker, beating NEC Nijmengen 6-2 on aggregate.
The match: Friday, June 17, 1983, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The Friday evening friendly attracted just under 30,000 fans.
Both sides fielded strong line-ups for the first half. This would obviously gradually change as there was no limit to substitutions and it was a friendly after all.
Ajax were however without Johan Cruijff, Søren Lerby and Wim Kieft.
The visitors started strongly and Lazio were in difficulty against such quality opposition. The Spearmen took the lead in the 4th minute. The goal was scored by Bosman who chipped Massimo Cacciatori with a precise lob. Lazio 0 Ajax 1. This was Cacciatori's first game since his three-year ban for alleged match fixing in 1980.
Lazio took some time to get going but once they did Bruno Giordano stole the show.
Lazio equalised in the 17th minute. Vincenzo D'Amico floated a ball forward which Giordano let go over his head, let it bounce and then blasted a shot into the top hand corner. Lazio 1 Ajax 1.
For the second half Lazio made seven changes and the game became slower and more like a training exercise. Ajax made two changes during the break.
One player however was on fire and in the 70th minute "Bruno-gol" struck again. From a Gabriele Podavini header he raced forward and beat Storm with a low strike. Lazio 2 Ajax 1.
In the 80th minute took off striker Marco Van Basten, a player Italy and the world would soon see blossom and become outstanding.
The Giordano show continued in the 89th minute. The Trasteverino dispossessed Ophof in midfield, sprinted forward and put the ball through the keeper's legs with his heel. An outrageous goal and Lazio 3 Ajax 1.
A friendly that was supposed to be balanced and entertaining was being dominated by one player's brilliance. Full time Giordano 3 Ajax 1.
A great evening, after three difficult years, with the Lazio fans celebrating their promotion and seeing Giordano's show tonight, hopefully looking forward to exciting times.
Who played for Lazio
Cacciatori (46' Moscatelli), Spinozzi (46' Saltarelli), Podavini, Miele (46' Pochesci), Manfredonia (78' De Nadai), Perrone (46' Piscedda), Ambu (46' Chiodi), Vella (46' Marini), Giordano, D'Amico (65' Sciarpa), Badiani (46' Tavola)
Manager: Morrone
Who played for Ajax
Galjé (46' Storm), Molenaar, Ophof, Boeve, Rijkaard, Molby, Olsen (46' Godee), Silooy, Van Basten (80' Haatrecht), Bosman (75' Van Veen), Schoenaker
Substitutes: Van't Schip
Manager: de Mos
Referee: Longhi
Goals: 4' Bosman, 17' Giordano, 25' Giordano, 44' Giordano
Sources
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