Game 9, Serie A
Sunday, December 3, 1972
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio-Cagliari 2-1
A 91st minute "Long John" winner keeps Lazio top of the table.
After eight games Lazio had 13 points and were top of the table, one point ahead of Inter. The Biancocelesti had won 5 (Fiorentina 1-0 and Vicenza 2-1, both away, Ternana 2-1 at home, the derby 1-0 and Palermo 2-0 at home) and drawn 3 (Inter 0-0 and Juventus 1-1, both at home and Atalanta 1-1 away the previous week).
The match
A mild and sunny afternoon saw a big 70,000 crowd gather at the Olimpico.
Rome was still under shock from the tragic explosion which had killed 17 people, including 5 children. An illegal firework stock in a basement had caused a whole block to go up in the air.
Cagliari were also in mourning and wore black armbands for the recent passing of Sardinian Antonio Segni, former Italian President of the Republic.
Lazio were without Pier Paolo Manservisi while Cagliari had defender Giuseppe Tomasini absent. The Sardinians however had Gigi Riva, Angelo Domenghini and Sergio Gori all match fit again.
Lazio started on the front foot and almost scored immediately. In the 2nd minute Giacomo La Rosa went down the left and crossed but neither Giorgio Chinaglia nor Renzo Garlaschelli managed to get a winning touch on the ball. There followed several Enrico Albertosi saves on Chinaglia, Garlaschelli and Luciano Re Cecconi.
Cagliari absorbed the pressure and on their first counterattack scored. A Riva lob hit the crossbar, came back down and hit Felice Pulici's leg, he then slapped it onto the post and it went in. Lazio 0 Cagliari 1. Against the run of play and a bit lucky but the islanders led.
Not long after, in the 21st minute, defender Mario Martiradonna was forced off injured and replaced by Mario Brugnera.
Only a minute later Lazio equalised. Franco Nanni took a free kick, Chinaglia dummied or missed and Garlaschelli nodded in. Lazio 1 Cagliari 1.
The game became more balanced even if it was Lazio who attacked more and were livelier, always getting to the ball before the visitors. At halftime however the score was still 1-1.
The second half started with a huge chance for "Casteddu". In the 48th minute Gori tried a cross which transformed into a shot, hit the post and fell to Riva but "Rombo di Tuono" (Rumble of Thunder) hit the keeper.
From then on it was all Lazio. The Biancocelesti attacked constantly but were unable to make the breakthrough.
The game reached the 90th minute and Lazio had grown increasingly frustrated at not being able to get the winner.
Then in the 91st minute everything changed. The Cagliari midfielder, Poletti in an attempt to waste time, started playing around with the ball just outside the area on the left but lost the ball to Garlaschelli who back-heeled to Sergio Petrelli. “Pedro” crossed low into the middle where "Long John" pounced and beat Albertosi. Lazio 2 Cagliari 1. A late but deserved goal.
Lazio had more or less dominated the game and were worthy winners. Lazio had been more positive, quicker and better organised than Cagliari.
Lazio consolidated their lead at the top of Serie A and now had a two-point advantage on Inter, who had drawn, and Milan.
Cagliari were in trouble and now joint 14th with Vicenza on 6 points, still only one above rock bottom Sampdoria.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Facco, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, La Rosa (87' Petrelli)
Substitutes: Moriggi
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Cagliari
Albertosi, Martiradonna (21' Brugnera), Mancin, Cera, Niccolai, Poletti, Domenghini, Nené, Gori, Roffi, Riva
Substitutes: Copparoni
Manager: Fabbri
Referee: Branzoni
Goals: 14' Pulici (og), 22' Garlaschelli, 90' Chinaglia
Sources
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