Game 30, Serie A
Sunday April 26, 1992
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Cremonese 3-2
Lazio beat Cremonese not without difficulty and keep a glimmer of hope for a European qualification
Despite the disappointing season Lazio were still only two points from a possible European Cup qualification. First and foremost, they had to beat Cremonese.
The match
Lazio started well and Thomas Doll tried his luck in the 5th minute from outside the box but Michelangelo Rampulla saved. Four minutes later Lazio scored. Ruben Sosa on the right flew down the wing, low cross towards the centre of the box and Doll, unmarked, beat the Cremonese goalkeeper. 1-0 for Lazio.
The German International tried again from outside the box shortly after but Rampulla saved. Doll in the 21st minute crossed into the box, Felice Garzilli anticipated Ruben Sosa and almost scored an own goal. Rampulla came to the rescue.
Cremonese almost equalised in the 26th minute. Enrico Piccioni’s shot from outside the box was very well saved by Valerio Fiori who also parried the subsequent Matjaz Florijancic corner kick. Doll again in the 26th minute crossed for Karl-Heinz Riedle but his header was too high. Six minutes later penalty for Lazio. Piccioni fouled Riedle in the box and Ruben Sosa took the spot kick giving Lazio the double advantage.
The 2-0 did not last long. The Biancocelesti had suicidal tendencies that year so why pass a comfortable afternoon when one can self-harm and live in fear? In the 34th minute cross from the left, Angelo Gregucci and Fiori clashed going for the ball, Florijancic was ready to score but was fouled by Raffaele Sergio. Penalty for Cremonese and former Lazio Gustavo Dezotti reduced the deficit.
The only Lazio player who seemed interested in doing something was Doll but it was like preaching in a desert.
In the second half, Ruben Sosa crossed from the left and Riedle with his classic header made it three for Lazio. The Uruguayan and Doll both had chances to make it four, but Rampulla managed to save. As a consequence Cremonese again reduced the deficit in the 65th minute. Corrado Verdelli had a shot saved by Fiori, the ball reached Dario Marcolin who, from a difficult position, managed to score with a low shot.
The Biancocelesti went into a panic and Cremonese could have taken advantage, but the Grigiorossi were too weak to capitalise and Lazio were able to close the game.
Despite the win, the fans were not happy and at the end of the match there were lots of boos.
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Zoff
Who played for Cremonese
Rampulla, Garzilli (75' Lombardini), Favalli, Piccioni (64' Maspero), Bonomi, Verdelli, Giandebiaggi, Iacobelli, Dezotti, Marcolin, Florijancic
Substitutes: Violini, Montorfano, Ferraroni
Manager: Giagnoni
Referee: Rodomonti
Goals: 9’ Doll, 32’ Ruben Sosa (pen), 34’ Dezotti (pen), 49’ Riedle, 65’ Marcolin
Sources
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