Game 36, Serie B
Sunday, June 1, 1986
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio - Empoli 0-0
Lazio attack for most of match but unable to break down defensive Tuscans
In the league, after a decent start (4 wins, a draw and a defeat in the first 6 games), things had not gone well. The team had suffered from the uncertainty at club level and were risking relegation. The Biancocelesti were currently joint 13th with Cagliari, Palermo and Perugia on 31 points but only one point from the drop zone, Sambenedettese on 30. Lazio had not won a match since March 29 and in total had won 9, drawn 13 and lost 13. A team built with promotion ambitions was in serious trouble.
A difficult game for Lazio today against an ambitious, young, fast and enthusiastic opposition. Lazio however could not afford to lose.
The match
A warm and humid day attracted about 20,000 to the Olimpico for this fourth bottom against fourth top clash.
Lazio were without defenders Ernesto Calisti and Roberto Galbiati, midfielders Francesco Dell'Anno and Claudio Vinazzani plus forward Giuliano Fiorini.
Empoli had only one absence, defender Claudio Vertova.
Lazio needed a win and played with Fabio Poli, Oliviero Garlini and veteran Oscar Damiani up front.
Empoli too in theory had to play for the two points but the Tuscans approach soon made it clear they would be satisfied with one.
Lazio attacked from the start whole Empoli sat back deep. For all the Biancocelesti's endeavour they did not create much until the half hour. Domenico Caso had a close-range effort punched away by Drago but the man from Eboli could have done better.
Lazio attacked head down but lacked the necessary lucidity finishing or on the last pass to transform their pressure into goals. Their top striker Garlini was also having an off day. Giulio Drago then saved again on a Gabriele Podavini shot.
Just before halftime however, the Eagles had a huge chance but were denied again by Drago. In the 44th minute Podavini again fired a close-range strike that the Empoli keeper brilliantly put into corner with a spectacular and acrobatic save. Half time Lazio 0 Empoli 0.
Lazio on top so far and would deserve to be in front of Empoli who were over cautious but defending well.
For the second half the Azzurri changed forwards and took off Loriano Cipriani and put on Adelino Zennaro.
The game continued in similar fashion to the first 45 minutes. Lazio going forward but in an increasingly confused and desperate way.
In the 66th minute Vincenzo D'Amico replaced a subdued Fabio Poli who going off threw his jersey to the ground in anger.
A major change in the script came in 68th minute, the Empolesi actually had a shot at goal. Following a misunderstanding between Massimo Piscedda and Fabio Calcaterra, Luca Cecconi had a crack but his shot hit the crossbar.
Then it was all Lazio again who tried a final forcing. In the 75th minute hit the outside of the post. The Biancocelesti tried throwing on a more offensive midfielder Fortunato Torrisi for Giorgio Magnocavallo.
Lazio attacked until the end but with tiring legs and minds were unable to get the breakthrough against Empoli's organised defensive set up. Final score Lazio 0 Empoli 0.
Not Lazio's worse performance and they deserved more than a draw. A point was not brilliant but not a disaster either, against promotion hopefuls.
The situation however was still critical. The new table read: Monza 25 (relegated), Catanzaro 30, Sambenedettese 31, Lazio 32, Palermo 32, Perugia 32, Pescara 32, Cagliari 33, Catania 33, Arezzo 34, Campobasso 34. With 4 relegations and 2 games to go it was no moment for the faint hearted and next up Catanzaro-Lazio…
Empoli meanwhile were still four points behind Vicenza and had been caught up by Triestina (who had fortunately for Lazio beaten Catanzaro 3-2) in joint 4th place. They had lacked ambition and settled for a draw.
The Lazio fans did everything they could to get behind the team, singing the Aida chant non stop for over an hour. Very moving.
Who played for Lazio
Ielpo, Podavini, Calcaterra, Fonte, Piscedda, Magnocavallo (75' Torrisi), Poli (66' D'Amico), Corti, Damiani, Caso, Garlini
Substitutes: Carlini, Perna, Toti
Manager: Simoni
Who played for Empoli
Drago, Miggiano, Gelain, Della Scala, Picano, Salvadori, Cecconi, Urbano, Della Monica, Casaroli, Cipriani (46' Zennaro, 83' Calonaci)
Manager: Salvemini
Referee: Casarin
Sources
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