Game 20, Serie B
Sunday, February 16, 1969
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Catanzaro 2-0
Lazio beat Catanzaro and take top spot in Serie B
The Biancocelesti closed the first half of the season in second place on 24 points in the company of Bari. They were one point from the top, held by Brescia, and had a two-point lead over a number of teams: Como, Genoa, Reggiana, Reggina and Foggia.
The match
Lazio had to face Catanzaro without several players and were forced to play with third goalkeeper Corrado Leardi and Romano Bagatti who had not yet played in the first eleven this season. As a consequence their start to the game was disjointed and the Calabrians exploited the situation. Manager Giuseppe Lupi intelligently placed his centre forward Gianbattista Benvenuto deep hence creating problems for his marker Carlo Soldo. It was Benvenuto who had the best chance to open the score in the first half when he arrived in front of Leardi but his shot went too high. Catanzaro were forced to substitute Luciano Rigato in the first half after a clash with Elio Rinero forced him to leave the pitch on a stretcher. In came Albino Barbuto
In the second half, Lorenzo managed to balance things out and Lazio scored in the 60th minute. Freekick, Ferruccio Mazzola II crossed into the box and Gian Piero Ghio headed the ball in. Shortly after, Barbuto was sent off for a dirty foul on Bagatti and from then on, the Biancocelesti took siege on the Calabrian goal in search of a second. Lazio had umpteen chances with Ghio, Piero Cucchi, Soldo, Giancarlo Morrone, Mazzola II (who hit a post in the 86th minute) but finally managed to score one minute from the end. Quick counterattack by Giuliano Fortunato, ball to Morrone who beat Flavio Pozzani.
Good win. Now Lazio were top of the Serie B table.
Who played for Lazio
Leardi, Onor, Facco, Rinero, Soldo, Marchesi, Bagatti (70’ Morrone), Mazzola II, Fortunato, Ghio, Cucchi
Substitutes: Fioravanti
TD: Lorenzo
Manager: Lovati
Who played for Catanzaro
Pozzani, Marini, Bertoletti, Massari, Tonani, Busatta, Zimolo, Banelli, Benvenuto, Aristei, Rigato (17' Barbuto).
Substitutes: Maschi.
Manager: Lupi.
Referee: Bianchi
Goals: 60’ Ghio, 89’ Morrone
Sources
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