Game 26, Serie A
Sunday, April 9, 1978
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Fiorentina 1-0
A spectacular header by Giordano towards the end of the game could prove to be decisive in the relegation battle.
So far things were not going too well. Luís Vinicio had recently been sacked, two weeks earlier, after a 3-1 defeat at Foggia. Unsurprisingly Lazio turned to Roberto "Bob" Lovati to steer the Biancocelesti to safety. His first match was lost 4-3 in Naples. Today was his second.
So far Lazio had won 5, drawn 10 and lost 10 and were involved in the relegation battle on 20 points.
Fiorentina had won 5, drawn 9 and lost 11 (including Lazio 0-1) so were on 19 points, just one behind Lazio.
So back to today's fixture, the home team with a single point advantage and both teams risking being sucked into a desperate situation, this was an important game, to put it mildly.
The match
The game was played on a cold, humid day on a slippery pitch in front of about 45,000 spectators.
Both teams were in trouble, Fiorentina were last but one in the table and without Giancarlo Antognoni, Giancarlo Galdiolo and Claudio Desolati while Lazio were only one point ahead and had not won a match since February 26 (Inter 1-0).
The game was a tense affair from the start with both teams low on confidence. The visitors however seemed to be the ones suffering more from the terror of the drop. Lazio at least had the home crowd to lift them and spur them on.
The game pattern from the early stages was clear, Lazio on the attack and Fiorentina compact in defence hoping for sporadic counterattacks.
The first shot on goal was for the "Viola" but future Lazio Domenico Caso's effort lacked conviction. Lazio responded but Renzo Garlaschelli's strike was deflected into corner by another future Lazio player Mauro Della Martira. The Biancocelesti then had a good chance with Andrea Agostinelli but his shot shaved the crossbar. Fiorentina had the last chance with Gianfranco Casarsa whose powerful effort was well saved by Claudio Garella, in this case much appreciated by the fans (not always the case). A balanced first half ended with Lazio 0 Fiorentina 0, the home side had pushed more, but not dominated by any means.
For the second half the "Gigliati" replaced Luigi Sacchetti with a more defensive Marco Rossinelli and took on an even more cautious approach. Lazio gained complete control of the midfield while Fiorentina concentrated exclusively on taking home a point. For Lazio Gigi Martini was particularly active. The Scudetto winning full-back had been dropped by Vinicio but with Lovati he was back to his top form causing Fiorentina all sorts of problems with his forays from defence to attack.
Fiorentina were crushed and they could thank goalkeeper Giovanni Galli (future Milan and Italy keeper) if they stayed in the game. He made several saves, the most spectacular in the 78th minute when his brilliant diving reflex denied Martini's angled shot for a corner.
The key moment however was on the way. In the 83rd minute Martini on the right wing was surrounded by four opponents, who by now had targeted him as the danger man, he dummied and gained some space and then put a cross into the box where Bruno Giordano, with a superb diving header, finally beat Galli. A great goal and possibly the most important of the season for Lazio. Final Score Lazio 1 Fiorentina 0.
An absolutely crucial two points for Lazio who celebrated in style with their ecstatic fans. They were by no means safe yet but today was a giant step forward. Lazio had deserved the win for attacking intent and for chances created while Fiorentina paid for their absences and for their negative second half approach with Sella far too isolated up front. A sleepless week lay ahead for the Fiorentina faithful, Serie B loomed.
Who played for Lazio
Garella, Ghedin, Martini, Wilson, Manfredonia, Cordova, Garlaschelli, Agostinelli, Giordano (87' De Stefanis), Lopez, Boccolini
Substitutes: Cari, Pighin
Manager: Lovati
Who played for Fiorentina
G. Galli, Orlandini, Tendi, Pellegrini, Della Martira, Zuccheri, Sacchetti (46' Rossinelli), Caso, Casarsa, Gola, Sella
Substitutes: Carmignani, Prati
Manager: Chiapella
Referee: Agnolin
Goal: 83' Giordano
Sources
Comments