Game 10, Serie A
Sunday, December 21, 1976
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Cagliari 3-0
Three goals by Garlaschelli, Chinaglia and D'Amico give Lazio easy win.
This season Lazio had started with Giulio Corsini on the bench. Corsini had problems with the "old guard" and especially Giorgio Chinaglia, so the climate was not ideal. Things in the league were not going great and after 7 matches Lazio had lost 3, drawn 3 (including Roma 1-1) and won only 1 (first game away to Sampdoria with a goal by Bruno Giordano on his debut). Then Tommaso Maestrelli returned, seemingly having resolved his health problems. Things however did not improve and Lazio lost the next match at home to Napoli and then drew 2-2 away at Verona after being two nil up.
So, today's home game to Cagliari was a must win game. Lazio were on 6 points after 9 games and in 15th position (out of 16).
The match
A perfect sunny day brought 40,000 spectators to the Olimpico for this bottom of the table clash.
Lazio were missing defenders Pietro Ghedin and Paolo Ammoniaci so young Lionello Manfredonia played as "libero" while Pino Wilson was moved to full-back.
Lazio attacked from the word go while Cagliari's intentions were clear: defend, defend, defend.
Lazio were constantly forward and Cagliari applied their "catenaccio" but without any counterattacks.
Lazio's breakthrough came in the 23rd minute. A seemingly innocuous shot by Giorgio Chinaglia was not held onto by Cagliari keeper Buso, the ball trickled free and Renzo Garlaschelli had no problem pouncing on the loose ball and scoring. Lazio 1 Cagliari 0.
Cagliari's game plan was up in the air and two minutes later Lazio scored again. Gigi Martini went down the left wing and crossed, Oreste Lamagni cleared badly with a header and the ball reached "Long John" Chinaglia who twisted and with a scissor kick scored Lazio’s second goal. Lazio 2 Cagliari 0.
Lazio were in total control while the Sardinians seemed unable to find plan B. In the 44th minute Lazio made it three. It was a Vincenzo D'Amico special, he dribbled past a defender and jiggled into the box on the left where he sent a low left- footed shot into the far corner. A superb solo effort and Lazio 3 Cagliari 0.
Total domination by Lazio against a poor Cagliari.
In the second half those who expected more goals would remain disappointed. Lazio were content to rest on their laurels while Cagliari threatened a few times but were not able to even get a consolation goal despite having "rombo di tuono" (rumble of thunder) Gigi Riva up front. The Rossoblu tried throwing on another forward, Pietro Virdis for Nené for the last 20 minutes but the game had already said what it had to say. Lazio 3 Cagliari 0.
A good win for the Biancocelesti, both for the relegation battle and for morale. There was still some controversy between the manager, players and club over alleged prize money but today's two points could only improve things.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Polentes, Martini, Wilson, Manfredonia, Badiani, Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, D'Amico (75' G. C. Ferrari), Lopez
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Cagliari
Buso, Lamagni, Longobucco, Quagliozzi, Niccolai, Tomasini, Nené (69' Virdis), Brugnera, Viola, Roffi, Riva
Substitutes: Copparoni, Mantovani
Manager: Tiddia
Referee: Gussoni
Goals: 23' Garlaschelli, 25' Chinaglia, 44' D'Amico
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