Game 19, Serie B
Sunday, January 23, 1983
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Cavese 1-1
Lazio equalise eight minutes from time to keep four-point cushion on 4th place
In the league, Lazio got off to a slow start (3 draws) but then started winning games (6 consecutive between 7th and 13th fixtures). Lazio had then drawn the big match against Milan 2-2 at home (Vincenzo D'Amico 90th minute equaliser), won another (Arezzo 2-0 at home) and drawn 2 (Atalanta and Catania both 1-1 away). Lazio were currently top of the table on 27 points, two ahead of Milan.
The match
A sunny day brought about 45,000 spectators for this big match. There was a good away support too, about 10,000, it was a big day for Cavese playing in the capital.
Lazio had a big absence in Lionello Manfredonia, replaced for today by Maurizio Montesi. Cavese had all their squad available.
Lazio's game plan was to attack from the start. In the 4th minute a powerful freekick by Michele De Nadai forced Franco Paleari into his first difficult save of the afternoon.
In the 9th minute the visitors threatened and D'Amico had to clear an Angelo Cupini shot off the line.
Lazio continued on the front foot. In the 21st minute Paleari just anticipated Claudio Ambu after an excellent run and cross by Enrico Vella. In the 23rd the keeper was busy again on an Ambu effort from a tight angle. In the 31st Lazio Lazio went extremely close when, from a D'Amico cross, Renato Miele's header hit the post. Halftime Lazio 0 Cavese 0.
Lazio on top but finding it hard to get the breakthrough.
For the second half the Metelliani put on Luigi Caffarelli in place of Sergio Mari.
The script did not change after the break, Lazio forward and Cavese waiting to pounce on the counter attack.
In the 57th minute the Biancocelesti threatened again, Roberto Badiani beat two defenders and crossed but Ambu's diving header shaved the post.
In the 62nd minute Cavese struck. Giacomo Piangerelli put a low through ball to Cupini on the right of the area and he hit a superb cross goal, mid-height shot in near the far post. Lazio 0 Cavese 1.
Lazio continued to push forward but the Cavese defence tightened up even further. In the 71st minute Lazio put on an extra forward, Roberto Chiodi, for a midfielder, Maurizio Montesi who had run out of energy after not playing for a lengthy period. Cavese in the same moment replaced midfielder Ciro Bilardi with defender Giovanni Gregorio.
Chiodi had a shot as soon as he came on, Paleari parried and D'Amico, obstructed by a defender, kicked the rebound wide.
Lazio were caught on the break again in the 73rd minute. Giuseppe Pavone teed up Caffarelli at the edge of the box but the Napoli owned attacking midfielder pulled his shot wide.
Time was running out but in the 82nd minute Lazio levelled. Cupini fouled Badiani, Bruno Giordano floated in the freekick and Vella rose up in the crowded area and headed in the deserved equaliser. Lazio 1 Cavese 1.
A minute later Lazio's hopes of going for a winner were thwarted when full-back Marco Saltarelli got himself sent off for reacting badly to a foul by Costante Tivelli.
Both sides at this stage realised that a point each was an acceptable outcome. Final score Lazio 1 Cavese 1.
It was not one of Lazio’s best performances. They badly missed Manfredonia, Montesi was not match fit, D'Amico was subdued and Ambu ran about a lot but was inconclusive. They could still have won the game but a draw scoring late against promotion rivals was a decent result.
Cavese had confirmed to be a solid, well-organised outfit. Strong in defence, confident in midfield and quick on the break they had impressed at the Olimpico. Their 10,000 travelling fans would be satisfied with their big day in the capital.
Lazio were still top but with only one point on Milan. On the other hand, they kept their four-point cushion on 4th place (Catania, Cremonese and Como). Cavese were still 3rd in the last promotion slot.
Who played for Lazio
Orsi, Badiani, Saltarelli, Vella, Miele, Perrone, Ambu, Montesi (71' Chiodi), Giordano, D'Amico, De Nadai
Manager: Clagluna
Who played for Cavese
Paleari, Pidone, Guerini, Bitetto, Guida, Piangerelli, Cupini, Mari (46' Caffarelli), Bilardi (71' Gregorio), Pavone, Tivelli
Substitutes: Assante, Sasso, Di Michele
Manager: Santin
Referee: Pairetto
Goals: 62' Cupini, 82' Vella
Red Card: 83' Saltarelli (L)
Sources
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