Coppa Italia, Quarter Finals, Second Leg
Wednesday, January 25, 1989
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Atalanta 3-2
Lazio give everything they have got but ultimately it's not enough after the away result.
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. Lazio had lost the first leg 2-0.
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 Ruben 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 Nelson 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 Gustavo Dezotti and Paolo Beruatto came on for Paolo Di Canio and Antonio Acerbis while Atalanta replaced Evair with Gianfranco 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 Armando 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
Sources
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