Game 27, Serie A
Sunday, April 5, 1992
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Bari 3-1
A clinical Lazio performance with goals by their two strikers Riedle and Sosa give them a much-needed win
It had been a reasonable start for Lazio. They had drawn both derbies 1-1 and twice against Juventus. Since Christmas however they had become increasingly inconsistent and lost 5 games all 1-0 as well as some wins: Foggia, Torino, Cagliari and Verona. So far, the Biancocelesti had won 8, drawn 11 and lost 7. They were currently on 27 points.
Today's opposition Bari had had a difficult start but since Christmas the "Galletti" had changed gear and beaten Cagliari, Roma, Verona and Fiorentina. They were still in trouble however and they desperately needed a win today but at least they were fighting. They had won 4, drawn 9 and lost 13, so on 17 points.
The match
The visitors had a lot more to play for and came out by far the stronger of the two teams.
Bari were in control of the game and seemed to have more energy than a lacklustre Lazio.
In the 19th minute, however, the Biancocelesti scored, completely against the run of play. It took an acrobatic strike by Karl-Heinz Riedle to put Lazio ahead, his shot beating Enzo Biato, who had just replaced injured Giuseppe Alberga.
Bari barely had the time to take in the negative and unexpected turn of events that they found themselves 2-0 down. In the 21st minute Claudio Sclosa set up Ruben Sosa who after a long run doubled Lazio's lead. Lazio 2 Bari 0.
One could have imagined Bari would collapse but instead, led by David Platt, they battled on. Just after the half hour mark they pulled one back. In the 31st minute Platt started the move, Robert Jarni continued it down the right and Enrico Cucchi finished it off, not without the complicity of a distracted Lazio back line. Lazio 2 Bari 1. Game on.
Bari increasingly believed they could turn this around and had two more chances before halftime. First Valerio Fiori saved an Antonio Soda header and then the same forward hammered a potential equaliser over the bar. Halftime score Lazio 2 Bari 1. Lazio led but the score line was slightly flattering.
The second half started with a huge chance for the visitors. A Jarni shot hit the post with Fiori beaten. Bari surged forward knowing they would risk on the counter foot with Lazio’s technical forwards. This is exactly what happened in the 50th minute. An excellent pass by Thomas Doll put Ruben Sosa away on the break and the Uruguayan made no mistake. Lazio 3 Bari 1.
At this point Bari's heads did drop a bit but they still kept Fiori on his toes and Jarni hit another post. Final score Lazio 3 Bari 1.
Not a great performance by Lazio but they had taken advantage of Bari's desperate tactical approach and made their own technical superiority count. With Doll in great form and Ruben Sosa so quick on the break they had punished a now seemingly doomed Bari.
Lazio on the other hand with this win still had a sliver of hope to earn a European UEFA Cup place.
Who played for Lazio
Fiori, Bergodi, Sergio, Pin, Gregucci, Soldà, Bacci, Doll (66' Melchiori), Riedle, Sclosa, Sosa (84' Stroppa)
Manager: Zoff
Who played for Bari
Alberga (16' Biato), Brambati, Rizzardi, Terracenere, Maccoppi, Loseto, Carbone (60' Brugi), Cucchi, Soda, Platt, Jarni
Substitutes: Bellucci, Fortunato, Boban
Manager: Boniek
Referee: Pairetto
Goals: 19' Riedle, 21' Sosa, 31' Cucchi, 50' Sosa
Sources:
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