Game 9, Serie A
Sunday, November 18, 1990
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Atalanta 2-2
With a goal and a decisive clearance, young Saurini makes sure Lazio take a point.
So far Lazio had won two games and drawn five (including Milan at home and Juventus away). They had some trouble scoring (only six goals) and were not so good at creating chances. Furthermore, they were knocked out of Coppa Italia early, losing to Serie B team Modena.
But it was still early in the season. Atalanta though had not lost at the Olimpico for the past 17 years.
The match
Few seconds and Lazio were already ahead. Raffaele Sergio dispossessed Valter Bonacina and ran down the left, ball to Ruben Sosa, cross and Karl-Heinz Riedle headed the ball past Fabrizio Ferron.
What seemed to be a downhill game instead became ever so difficult as Atalanta played much better, were more organised and created a number of chances. In the 6th minute Evair scored but according to the ref he was guilty of shouting to leave him the ball... Weird decision. Never mind, the Bergamaschi equalised in the 14th minute. Splendid free kick by Luigino Pasciullo into the top corner. Nothing Valerio Fiori could do.
Atalanta were playing beautifully; Lazio were unable to be dangerous. Mind you, there were a couple of penalty appeals by the Biancocelesti for fouls by Sergio Porrini on Ruben Sosa and Glenn Stromberg on Angelo Gregucci but the ref was not interested. Evair could have scored in the 18th minute but his volley off a Roberto Bordin cross went high. In the 41st minute Eligio Nicolini on the edge of the box on the left, sent a perfect lob over Fiori way too far out of his goal and it was 2-1 for the Nerazzurri from Bergamo.
Atalanta sat back in the second half and let Lazio go forward. But they were very dangerous on the counter attack and had numerous chances to make it 3-1 with Nicolini (twice) and Evair. Dino Zoff sent in young Giampaolo Saurini to make the Biancoceleste attack heavier and he was decisive. After Franco Marchegiani was sent off in the 77th minute, in the 82nd Sergio crossed into the box from the left and the young forward headed the ball into the net. Three minutes later Evair got into the box, dribbled past Fiori and shot at goal. Saurini saved the draw by clearing on the line.
Tough game, Lazio still have a lot of work to do.
Who played for Lazio
Fiori, Bergodi, Sergio, Pin, Gregucci, Soldà, Madonna, Sclosa (64’ F. Marchegiani), Riedle, Domini (69’ Saurini), Sosa
Manager: Zoff
Who played for Atalanta
Ferron, Porrini, Pasciullo, Bonacina, Bigliardi, Progna, Stromberg, Bordin, Evair, Nicolini, Perrone (75' De Patre)
Substitutes: Pinato, Monti, Catelli, Maniero
Manager: Frosio
Referee: Quartuccio
Goals: 1’ Riedle, 14’ Pasciullo, 41’ Nicolini, 82’ Saurini
Sources
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