Game 10, Serie A
Sunday, November 27, 1983
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Catania 3-0
The local striker and the Dane got the goals but it was really Vincenzino D'Amico who orchestrated the win
So far, the season had, as expected, been difficult. Lazio had won 2, drawn 2 and lost 5. Not great and only 6 points in the table. Catania were even worse off with just 5 points.
Today's game was already a fundamental relegation clash.
The match
A grey but mild day saw a 35,000 crowd turn up for this early season but already survival battle.
The first half reflected the importance of the game, tense, dirty and tight. Despite the stop and start affair there were some chances for both sides.
Catania had an early effort and then again threatened in the 18th minute but Massimo Cacciatori was alert. The Catania keeper Roberto Sorrentino was busier, producing a series of excellent saves from Michael Laudrup and then on a close-range header by Lionello Manfredonia. Lazio on top but all in all a scrappy, physical game. Half time Lazio 0 Catania 0.
There were no changes for the second half. Catania stuck to their game plan, defence and hoping for the occasional break for Aldo Cantarutti and Andrea Carnevale, neither of whom however were classic counter foot attackers.
The deadlock was broken in the 49th minute. Vincenzo D'Amico, up to then the liveliest player, jiggled past a few Catanesi in midfield and put in a perfect, cutting pass through the backline, Bruno Giordano ran onto it but was pulled down just as he entered the area. Penalty, the Trasteverino striker had probably exaggerated the contact but there had definitely been a pull of the shirt. Giordano took it and despite slipping the ball somehow trickled into the net. Lazio 1 Catania 0.
This was now the ideal situation for the Biancocelesti as the Sicilians gradually lost heart and were forced to open up tactically. Lazio looked as if they could score again soon, with Sorrentino twice denying Laudrup and did so in the 72nd minute.
It was all down to the "Danesino" Laudrup who dispossessed a defender about 40 metres out, raced towards the area on the left and wonderfully chipped the keeper with a left footed lob, pure class. Lazio 2 Catania 0.
The visitors had one chance to reopen the game but Arcadio Spinozzi cleared the line. Then in the 86th minute, Catania and former Roma defender, Giacomo Chinellato was sent off for dissent.
The Etnei despite their origins had no fire left and Lazio comfortably controlled the game and then made it three. A freekick from the edge of the box was smashed in with a fantastic strike by Giordano. Lazio 3 Catania 0.
For now, Lazio had been given some oxygen but judging from today's game it would be a long and difficult season for both sides. Luckily for Lazio they had a few players of superior quality such as Giordano, Laudrup and D'Amico (Man of Match today) who could possibly keep them in the top-flight football.
Who played for Lazio
Cacciatori, Podavini, Filisetti, Manfredonia, Batista, Spinozzi, D'Amico, Vinazzani, Giordano, Laudrup, Piraccini (86' Piscedda)
Substitutes: Orsi, Della Martira, Moccia, Meluso
Manager: Morrone
Who played for Catania
Sorrentino, Ranieri, Mosti, Giovanelli, Chinellato, Mastropasqua, Morra II (76' Bilardi), Mastalli, Cantarutti, Luvanor (62' Crialesi), A.Carnevale
Substitutes: M. Onorati, Sabadini, Ciampoli
Manager: Di Marzio
Referee: Ballerini
Goals: 49' Giordano (pen), 72' Laudrup, 85' Giordano
Sources
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