Game 35, Serie B
Sunday, May 22, 1983
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Atalanta 2-1
The first win in two months plus the news that Giorgio Chinaglia may purchase the club give new hope to fans
In December, in the last match of 1982, Lazio drew 2-2 in a spectacular game against other promotion favourites Milan, and Serie A looked just around the corner. But things changed in the new year and Lazio started to struggle a bit. After drawing at Perugia and beating Bari, Lazio had three consecutive goalless draws and two defeats. The gap with those behind was reduced to two points. They needed to beat struggling Reggiana. Lazio scored three times with Giordano but were unable to secure victory and were held to a draw. Clagluna had to go in order to create a spark that could help Lazio get over the line. Old Lazio glory Giancarlo Morrone, who was managing the Primavera team, was called in to help create that spark. The next match however things precipitated even further and Lazio lost 5-1 to Milan.
Lazio were now second but on equal points with Catania, Cremonese and Cavese. Milan were miles ahead, so just two places available for promotion. Next up Atalanta.
The match
On Sunday May 22, Lazio fans woke up with heavy hearts. But when they went to buy the newspaper, they saw that Giorgio Chinaglia wanted to buy Lazio. The enthusiasm that this news generated brought 55,000 people to the Olimpico.
Dream start for Lazio. In the 2nd minute Vincenzo D’Amico from the left sent in a cross that the Atalanta goalkeeper could safely catch. But the ball dropped out of his arms and Roberto Badiani was the quickest to react and volleyed the ball in.
All downhill for Lazio? No. Atalanta took charge of the game and in the 11th minute equalised. Bortolo Mutti sent in a cross from the right, the Lazio defence were a bit slow and Marco Pacione beat Fernando Orsi.
The Bergamaschi played well, especially with former Lazio Andrea Agostinelli and future star Roberto Donadoni, and it looked as if Lazio's winning drought would continue. Giordano was all alone up front, not helped by either Claudio Ambu or D’Amico.
However, in the 28th minute there was a free kick for Lazio outside the box, 25 metres out. D’Amico found a gap in the Atalanta wall and Lazio were back in front.
Lazio almost made it three at the end of the first half but Gabriele Podavini’s shot was saved on the line by Daniele Filisetti.
Atalanta did everything they could to equalise in the second half and went very near with Donadoni, Maurizio Codogno and Giorgio Magnocavallo, but the Lazio defence managed to hold on to the win. Lazio were still in second place, but now by themselves.
Who played for Lazio
Orsi, Podavini, Saltarelli, Vella, Pochesci, Spinozzi, Ambu (89’ Chiodi), Marini, Giordano, D’Amico (86’ Tavola), Badiani.
Manager: Morrone
Who played for Atalanta
Benevelli, Codogno, Magnocavallo, Snidaro (46' Foscarini), Filisetti, E. Perico, Donadoni, D.Moro (77' Madonna), Mutti II, Agostinelli, Pacione
Substitutes: Bordoni, Bruno, Sandri
Manager: O.Bianchi.
Referee: Leni
Goals: 2’ Badiani, 11’ Pacione, 28’ D’Amico
Sources
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