Game 28, Serie A
Sunday, May 4, 1975
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Fiorentina 1-0
Lazio managed to win in the last seconds despite the difficult situation and referee
In Serie A, the Biancocelesti started well winning the first three games, but then they lost the lead with two points in the next three. By the end of the year they were second, three points behind Juventus. The first match of 1975 was Lazio vs Juve and the Biancocelesti won but the three-point deficit was re-established at the end of the first half of the season with a loss at Ascoli. The three-point gap stayed until the end of February. Two points in the next four games meant that Lazio dropped to fourth place, -6 from the Bianconeri.
After winning at Bologna, the team were told that Tommaso Maestrelli had cancer and at that point the players lost interest in Serie A. With three games to the end of the season the Biancocelesti were fifth.
The match
Lazio started well and in the 5th minute Franco Superchi was forced to save a Franco Nanni header. Seven minutes later Luciano Re Cecconi had a chance but his shot was weak. Felice Pulici also had work to do on a Gianfranco Casarsa shot and in the 20th minute on a Mimmo Caso attempt deflected by Giancarlo Oddi. Ten minutes later a first dubious episode in the box when Vincenzo Guerini blatantly stopped a Vincenzo D’Amico play but touching the ball with his hands, but the referee did not see. In the 34th minute a cross from Giancarlo Antognoni surprised Pulici and was almost going in, but Pino Wilson managed to clear. Two minutes later another handball in the box this time from Giancarlo Galdiolo did not convince the ref. This was followed by a splendid Nanni-Chinaglia-D’Amico move which allowed the Lazio golden boy to shoot, saved by Superchi.
Another D’Amico shot in the 50th minute was saved by the keeper and in the 65th minute Casarsa had the chance to score for Fiorentina but missed. In the 81st minute Sergio Petrelli to Chinaglia but again the Fiorentina goalkeeper saved. In the 90th minute penalty for Lazio. Pino Wilson was fouled in the box by Mauro Della Martira and this time the ref pointed to the spot kick. Galdiolo was sent off for dissent, but after having taken off his jersey, he put it back on and went back on the pitch. The referee did not notice a thing. Anyway, Chinaglia took the penalty and it was saved by Superchi but the ball went back to Long John who deposited the ball in the net.
Good win for Lazio, despite the difficulties.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Polentes, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni (83’ Petrelli), Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, D’Amico, Badiani
Manager: Maestrelli (Lovati on the bench)
Who played for Fiorentina
Superchi, Galdiolo, Beatrice, Guerini (46' Lelj), Pellegrini E., Della Martira, Caso, Merlo, Casarsa, Antognoni, Desolati
Substitutes: Lucetti, Speggiorin
Manager: Rocco
Referee: Lops
Goal: 90’ Chinaglia
Sources
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