Game 22, Serie A
Sunday, March 21, 1976
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Ascoli 3-1
Lazio beat relegation rivals to lift hopes of staying up
Lazio were currently in 12th position (out of 16), on 15 points, just one above the relegation zone (Sampdoria on 14). The Biancocelesti desperately needed a win today.
So far Ascoli were in 11th position, on 16 points (just one above Lazio).
Today in the league it was a crucial relegation clash.
The match
A lovely, sunny March day and a 40,000 crowd was the pleasant context in which this survival clash was played.
Lazio had no important absences while Ascoli had to do without forward Pietro Ghetti.
The first half saw Lazio attack constantly but without profit. In fact, despite Lazio’s territorial dominance the two sides had one real chance each.
The first was for the Marchigiani but Flaviano Zandoli from a favourable position was unable to coordinate himself properly and his shot was palmed away by Felice Pulici.
Lazio pushed forward but all they had to show for it was a Renzo Garlaschelli shot just over the bar from a Gigi Martini cross to the front post. Halftime Lazio 0 Ascoli 0.
The second half had just got underway when Lazio scored. Giorgio Chinaglia was the assist man but from the unusual position of inside his own half. He sent a long ball to Martini who chested it down ran forward and from the edge of the box hammered in a low right foot. Great goal and Lazio 1 Ascoli 0.
Lazio started playing a lot more freely and almost doubled immediately. Luciano Re Cecconi powered past a defender and cut in along the by-line before putting in a cross which came off the keeper's shoulder and continued onto the far post where Roberto Badiani arrived a fraction too late.
The second goal came anyway in the 61st minute. Re Cecconi won the ball and gave it to Chinaglia who set up Vincenzo D'Amico inside the area on the left, the Golden Boy sent a low left foot which went in on the far post after a slight deflection by Francesco Scorsa. Lazio 2 Ascoli 0.
Ascoli had a chance to get back in the contest but Pulici dived low at Zandoli's feet and saved into corner.
In the 74th minute Chinaglia decided it was fine being an assist man but it was even better getting back to scoring goals. He received the ball from Totò Lopez and from the edge of the box sent a cracking shot into the top right-hand corner. Lazio 3 Ascoli 0.
A minute later Garlaschelli came off for Ferrari and in the 82nd the visitors replaced Zandoli with Angelo Calisti.
In the 83rd minute the Piceni reduced the deficit. The Lazio defence headed away a cross but only as far as Steno Gola who chested it down and after the bounce hammered a left foot under the roof of the net. Lazio 3 Ascoli 1.
Lazio then controlled the last few minutes without running any risks. Fulltime 3-1. An important win for Lazio against a direct rival in the survival battle. Ascoli had not played badly but once Chinaglia stirred they stood little chance.
Lazio moved up to 12th, overtaking Ascoli. The Biancocelesti now had a two-point cushion on the 3rd from bottom team, now Verona and no longer Sampdoria. The Bianconeri from Ascoli Piceno meanwhile saw their lead on the drop zone reduced to a single point.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Ammoniaci, Martini, Wilson, Ghedin, Badiani, Garlaschelli (75' Ferrari G.C), Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, D'Amico, Lopez
Substitutes: Moriggi, Manfredonia
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Ascoli
Grassi, Perico, Logozzo, Scorsa, Castoldi, Morello, Minigutti, Salvori, Silva, Gola, Zandoli (82' Calisti)
Substitutes: Recchi, Legnaro
Manager: Riccomini
Referee: Ciacci
Goals: 46' Martini, 60' Scorsa (og), 74' Chinaglia, 83'Gola
Source
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