Game 20, Serie A
Sunday, March 7, 1971
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Bologna 2-2
Despite going two goals up Lazio draw with Bologna
In Serie A things were not going well. Lazio only won their first game on December 20 and had only won two all season. The Biancocelesti were joint bottom with Catania, on 11 points. Safety was four points away, Fiorentina on 15.
Today could go either way. Lazio were desperate for points and Bologna in mid-table but still only five points from the drop zone.
The match
It had snowed in Rome on Saturday but today was sunny. The pitch however was surrounded by unmelted snow but the playing field itself was in good condition.
Lazio were still missing Pierpaolo Manservisi, Giuliano Fortunato and Juan Carlos Morrone while Bologna had Francesco Rizzo out suspended.
In the first half Bologna controlled the tempo with more harmonious and better build up while Lazio responded with more isolated and individual moves.
In the 13th minute Giorgio Chinaglia charged forward on the counter attack and passed to Mario Tomy in the middle, but he was just anticipated by defender Tazio Roversi.
Bologna responded a minute later when Bruno Pace went past several players on the wing and put in a cross for Beppe Savoldi but his header shaved the post.
Lazio went just as close in the 35th minute. Ferruccio Mazzola fed Chinaglia who again surged forward beating Franco Janich but his powerful cross goal effort was just wide. Half time Lazio 0 Bologna.
A balanced game, Bologna playing better football but Lazio more dangerous.
The second half started with a bang. In the 49th minute a wonderful touch by Arrigo Dolso found Tomy near the penalty spot, the striker chested the ball down and despite being challenged by two defenders hammered in a left foot. A great goal, Lazio 1 Bologna 0.
Four minutes later Lazio doubled their lead and Tomy was involved again. Following a misunderstanding between Janich and Roversi he shot towards goal, the ball was then touched slightly by Chinaglia who predictably was more than pleased to claim the goal. Lazio 2 Bologna 0.
Lazio were leading by two goals for the first time this season.
Bologna tried to remedy by putting on a forward Giovanni Vastola for a midfielder Pietro Ghetti, who was on his debut in Serie A.
Lazio seemed in control and defended well and tried to strike on the break. In the 75th minute however, things changed when Giorgio Chinellato messed up a backward pass losing possession, the Bolognesi went forward and the linesman put his flag up for offside but the referee incredibly ignored it or did not notice it, allowing Savoldi to get the ball and he was then pulled down by Giuseppe Papadopulo for a penalty. Savoldi himself put it away neatly, Lazio 2 Bologna 1.
The game changed completely and the visitors took control while Lazio were panicky. The Rossoblu almost equalised in the 84th minute but Rosario Di Vincenzo made an excellent save on a lob by Pace. Then Savoldi and Giacomo Bulgarelli were just late on an Adriano Fedele cross.
The goal however came in the 88th minute. Chinaglia had the ball but instead of playing for time he burst forward and lost it to Nevio Scala, it then reached Savoldi who teed up Ivan Gregori unmarked on the left and his shot beat Di Vincenzo. Lazio 2 Bologna 2.
A pity for Lazio who had gone close to a crucial win but let it slip through their fingers. In modern times there would have been endless controversy for the referee's behaviour on Bologna's first goal. Meanwhile, the Lazio fans were not happy but did not have to look far for ammunition as hundreds of snowballs pelted down on the field.
For Lazio this could be the beginning of the end especially psychologically. The Biancocelesti were still four points from safety but were now bottom of the table.
Who played for Lazio
Di Vincenzo, Facco, Legnaro, Wilson, Papadopulo, Chinellato, Massa, Mazzola II, Chinaglia, Tomy, Dolso
Manager: Lorenzo
Who played for Bologna
Vavassori, Roversi, Fedele, Cresci, Janich, Gregori, Scala, Ghetti (55' Vastola), Savoldi, Bulgarelli, Pace
Substitutes: Adani
Manager: E. Fabbri
Referee: Porcelli
Goals: 49' Tomy, 53' Chinaglia, 75' Savoldi (pen), 87' Gregori
What happened next
Lazio ended up relegated. The Biancocelesti won 3 more matches and drew with Juventus and Roma but ultimately an away defeat at Varese and at home to Vicenza condemned the Romans to the drop. Lazio finished 15th after 5 wins, 12 draws (both derbies) and 13 defeats.
Lazio's two consolations were winning the Alps Cup defeating Basel away 3-1 and having Giorgio Chinaglia score 21 goals (9 in the league).
Lazio were going down but better times were on the way.
Bologna finished 5th (UEFA Cup). They won the next two and ended the season well, including beating Milan 3-2 and virtually ending the Rossoneri's title hopes. Top scorer was Beppe Savoldi with 15 league goals.
The Felsinei reached the final of the Anglo-Italian Cup but lost to Blackpool 1-2 after extra-time.
The Scudetto was won by Inter for the 11th time. Lazio went down to Serie B with Catania and Foggia.
Lazio 1970-71
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals Scored |
Serie A | 30 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 43 |
Coppa Italia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Fairs Cup | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Cup of the Alps | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
Total | 40 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 56 |
Top Five Appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Fairs Cup | Cup of the Alps |
Chinaglia | 40 | 30 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
Massa | 38 | 29 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Wilson | 36 | 29 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Dolso | 32 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Governato | 32 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Mazzola II | 32 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Top Five Goal Scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Fairs Cup | Cup of the Alps |
Chinaglia | 22 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
Massa | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Dolso | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Mazzola II | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Facco | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Let’s talk about Mario Tomy
Mario Tomì known as Tomy was born in Thiene (Vicenza), on November 7, 1943.
His first club was Mantova where he played one game in 1962-63. The Virgiliani were in Serie A and finished 13th under Hungarian Nándor Hidegkuti. The squad included the great Angelo Sormani (Scudetto with Milan 1967) and future Lazio manager Gigi Simoni (1985-86).
In 1963 Tomy joined Reggiana in Serie C1. The Granata won the league and promotion, under Giancarlo Cadè. His teammates included, future Lazio, Carlo Facchin (1971-72). The following year La Regia finished 11th in B, under Dino Ballacci. In two seasons in Reggio Emilia, Tomy played 41 league games and scored 12 goals.
In 1965-66 he returned to Mantova in Serie B. The Biancorossi were promoted in 3rd place under Cadè. Tomy only played 7 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia. His teammates included the legendary keeper and Lazio manager (1990-94, 1997, 2001) Dino Zoff.
In 1966 Tomy moved to Legnano (Milan) in Serie C. The manager was Luciano Lupi and the Lilla (Lilacs) finished 7th. Tomy played 31 league games and scored 14 goals. In 1967-68 he stayed on and Legnano finished 8th under former Lazio coach Carlo Facchini (1962). Tomy made 36 league appearances with 12 goals.
In 1968-69 he played a season with Alessandria in Serie C. The "Orso Grigio (Grey Bear) finished 7th under local legend Mario Pietruzzi (283 league games over 15 years for the club). Tomy played 35 league games with 12 goals. The squad included there future Lazio players; Gaetano Legnaro (1970-72), Avellino Moriggi (1970-71, 1972-76) and Bruno Chinellato (1970-71).
In 1969 he joined Lazio. The Biancocelesti were back in Serie A after a year in B. The manager was Bob Lovati with Juan Carlos Lorenzo as technical director for bureaucratic reasons. Lazio had a good season and finished 8th. Tomy played 4 league games, 1 in Coppa Italia, 2 in the Anglo-Italian Cup and 2 in the Alps Cup.
The following season did not go as well and Lazio finished 15th and relegated. Tomy played 9 games in Serie A and scored one goal (Bologna).
In 1971 he left the capital and went south-east to Brindisi in Serie C. The Messapici won the league and promotion under future Lazio, Luís Vinicio (1976-78). Tomy then stayed on two more seasons in Serie B, finishing 7th and 17th. He played 40 league games and scored 6 goals. His teammates included former Lazio Alessandro Abbondanza (1971-72), Rosario Di Vincenzo (1967-72) and Giuseppe Papadopulo (1969-72) plus future Lazio, Luigi Boccolini (1977-78), Paolo Franzoni (1973-75).
At 31 he retired.
Tomy was a forward. He had a decent career especially in the lower divisions. He won two Serie C leagues (Reggiana 1964 and Brindisi 1972) plus another promotion with Mantova. He scored a total of 57 league goals.
At Lazio he played a total of 18 games (13 in A). He was a reserve behind Giorgio Chinaglia, Gian Piero Ghio, Juan Carlos Morrone and Giuliano Fortunato. He had the satisfaction of winning an Alps Cup and playing alongside some Lazio greats who only a few seasons later would become Italian champions (Giancarlo Oddi, Pino Wilson, Franco Nanni, Luigi Polentes, Pierpaolo Manservisi and of course the great Giorgio Chinaglia).
Lazio Career
Season | Total Games (goals) | Serie A | Mitropa Cup | Anglo-Italian Cup | Cup of the Alps |
1969-70 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
1970-71 | 9 (1) | 9 (1) | - | - | - |
Total | 18 (1) | 13 (1) | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Sources
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