Complicated, but victorious
- Simon Basten
- Mar 24, 2023
- 2 min read
Game 22, Serie A
Sunday, March 24, 1974
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Cagliari 2-0
Lazio beat Cagliari in a difficult match and now have a three point lead
The Biancocelesti were currently first with a two-point lead on Juventus and three on Napoli. The previous Sunday they had lost in Milan against Inter. Was it to be a minor setback or something more serious?
The match
Lazio started ferociously as usual but it was Cagliari who had the first chance. In the 16th minute Luciano Re Cecconi was dispossessed, ball to Desiderio Marchesi who alone in front of Felice Pulici shot over the crossbar. After this initial fright, the Biancocelesti began to siege the Cagliari goal. In the 18th minute Enrico Albertosi was miraculous on a Re Cecconi shot. 60 seconds later Franco Nanni following a splendid back heel pass from Giorgio Chinaglia hit the top of the crossbar. Another minute and Long John on a Mario Frustalupi cross headed a brilliant lob past Albertosi but the ball hit the woodwork. In the 23rd minute Frustalupi to Chinaglia in the box on the right, big whack which Albertosi could not keep out of the goal. 1-0 to Lazio.
All downhill now? No. Cagliari re-organised and slowly took control of the match. In the second half the Biancocelesti disappeared from the game. The Sardinians had a chance in the 48th minute when Pulici saved on a Cesare Poli attempt. In the 52nd minute Poli hit the exterior of the post and in the 63rd Sergio Gori had a shot saved by the Lazio keeper. Immediately after the Cagliari centre forward miskicked a sitter.
The Biancocelesti after the storm slowly took control of the match and ten minutes from time closed the game. Chinaglia passed a high ball to Nanni in the box, as the midfielder was about to shoot, Mario Brugnera held him by his arm and the ref indicated the spot kick. Chinaglia made no mistake and scored his brace.
A very important win in a difficult match. Napoli drew with Roma and Juventus at Verona. Lazio now had a three-point lead.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Petrelli (88’ Polentes), Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, D’Amico
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Cagliari
Albertosi, Poletti (46' Brugnera), Mancin, Poli, Valeri, Roffi, Marchesi, Quagliozzi, Gori, Butti, Nobili
Substitutes: Copparoni, Dessì
Manager: Chiappella
Referee: Torelli
Goals: 24’ Chinaglia, 80’ Chinaglia (pen)
Sources
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