Game 28, Serie B
Saturday, March 29, 1986
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Catania 1-0
A stunning volley by the prolific Lazio striker lifts the Biancocelesti to mid-table
So far the Biancocelesti had won 8, drawn 9 and lost 10, disappointing. They had lost the last two matches.
Today's opposition Catania were in a similar position. The Rossoblu had won 8 (including Lazio 2-1), drawn 9 and lost 12. They were two points behind Lazio and had already changed managers twice (Gennaro Rambone to Salvatore Bianchetti and then Antonio Colomban).
Today's game was important for both teams to avoid being dragged down into the thick of the relegation battle.
The match
A sunny, mild pre-Easter afternoon gathered a crowd of 25,000 at the Olimpico.
The match pattern was clear from the start as Catania showed all they wanted was to take a point back to Sicily. They defended deep and blocked the wings where they feared Lazio's Gabriele Podavini and Giorgio Magnocavallo's incursions.
In the first half the visitors game plan was successful as Lazio were rarely dangerous. The Biancocelesti had a couple of shots with Alessandro Toti and Domenico Caso and a few Oliviero Garlini headers but nothing to cause Marco Onorati to lose any sleep over. Halftime Lazio 0 Catania 0 and sterile domination by the Romans.
The second half started with a bang. First Magnocavallo had a penalty appeal turned down and then Lazio scored. In the 49th minute, after a double attempt by Fortunato Torrisi and Caso, "bomber" Garlini fired home with a fine volley.
After breaking the deadlock Lazio had no problems whatsoever absorbing Catania's feeble reaction. The Lazio keeper, Mario Ielpo, basically did not have to dirty his gloves and all Catania could muster was a Pedrinho innocuous shot.
The only events to note were a shoulder injury to Torrisi, replaced by a lively Vincenzo D'Amico, and the sendings off in the 82nd minute of Lazio’s Fabio Calcaterra and Catania's Carlo Borghi for some theatrical pushing and shoving. Final score Lazio 1 Catania 0.
A precious two points for Lazio despite a far from memorable performance. They had however deserved to win and now pushed themselves up to mid-table. Once again, they could thank "Oliviero, bomber vero"
Who played for Lazio
Ielpo, Podavini, Calisti, Galbiati, Calcaterra, Magnocavallo, Torrisi (57' D'Amico), Toti, Dell'Anno (79' Corti), Caso, Garlini
Manager: Simoni
Who played for Catania
M. Onorati, Picone, De Simone, Maggiora, Canuti (73' Mandressi), Polenta, Puzone, Pedrinho, Borghi, P.Braglia (46' Longobardo), Picci
Substitutes: Marigo, Longobado, Lubbia, Luvanor, Mandressi
DT: Mazzetti
Manager: Colomban
Referee: Vecchiatini
Goal: 49' Garlini
Source
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