Lazio edge Campobasso in relegation clash

Season 1986-87

Game 26, Serie B

Sunday, March 29, 1997

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Campobasso 1-0

Not a great performance but an important win, however it was “arrivederci” and not “addio” to the Molisani…

Lazio had started the season at -9 points. After a hesitant start Lazio gathered steam and at one point even looked as if they could join the promotion battle. Then the stress of the handicap start and the necessity to push early on began to take its toll and Lazio had started to struggle in the second part of the season.

After the first 19 fixtures Lazio had conquered 24 points, so were on 15, in 16th place (without the handicap they would have been 2nd). In the last six however the Biancocelesti had won 2, drawn 1 and lost 3. A week earlier they had lost 0-1 at Catania. Lazio were currently 16th, so out of the drop zone but only one point ahead of Campobasso and Sambenedettese, two ahead of Taranto and four of Cagliari. Today’s game against Campobasso was obviously of crucial importance.

The match: Sunday, March 29, 1997, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

A mild but overcast day saw 25,000 gather at the Olimpico.

Lazio were without Antonio Elia Acerbis and Fabio Poli but the Molisani were worse off and were missing Carmine Della Pietra, Franco Baldini, Mario Goretti and Marco Maestripieri.

The game started with a huge chance for the visitors inside the first minute. Angelo Gregucci hesitated and was dispossessed at the edge of the box by Claudio Vagheggi who moved forward and teed up an unmarked Carlo Perrone but he pulled the ball just wide of the far post.

After the scare Lazio had an even bigger chance to go in front. In the 4th minute the Biancocelesti were awarded a penalty for a foul on Giorgio Magnocavallo by Luca Evangelisti. The specialist Gabriele Podavini stepped up but sent a lame and central shot which the keeper saved.

In the 6th minute the Lupi threatened again with Vagheggi's lightning pace, he beat the offside trap but was tackled at the last moment by Vincenzo Esposito.

The game settled into a regular pattern. Lazio constantly occupied the Rossoblu half and the visitors looked for openings on the break. Lazio however had difficulties building momentum, badly missing Fabio Poli's inventiveness while Paolo Mandelli was having an off day. They did however have two dangerous headers just off target.

It was a defender who broke the deadlock. In the 34th minute Lazio had a corner, it was cleared but only as far as Raimondo Marino who hammered it in from the edge of the box. Halftime Lazio 1 Campobasso 0.

Lazio leading but definitely not having one of their better performances.

The second half saw the Molisani push forward for an equaliser. Lazio were unable to take control of the game and instead sat back to protect their slender advantage.

For the visitors Perrone threatened a couple of times but for all their pressure they never forced Giuliano Terraneo into any really difficult saves.

If anything, it was Lazio who went closest in the 72nd minute but a Podavini lob towards an empty goal was cleared near the line by Paolo Pochesci.

Lazio defended until the end and clinched the two points. It was not pretty but effective. Campobasso felt a bit hard done by and probably deserved a point for their efforts.

As it was, Lazio moved up to 14th, on 22 points with Catania and three above Campobasso and the drop zone. The situation seemingly looked rosy for Lazio but little did they know the real drama was yet to come including a final epic clash against today's opposition in July.

Who played for Lazio

Terraneo, Podavini, Filisetti, Esposito, Gregucci, Marino, Caso (79' Camolese), Magnocavallo, Fiorini, Pin, Mandelli (65' Rizzolo)