Game 19, Serie A
Sunday, February 18, 1979
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Fiorentina 4-0
Best Lazio of the season so far annihilate Fiorentina
The Serie A campaign began quite well with a draw against champions Juventus and a win away from home at Avellino. At the end of the first half of the season Lazio were sixth with a UEFA Cup qualification still very possible. But they were not playing well. Before the game against Fiorentina, Lazio had not won at home for two months. A win, and a convincing one too, was needed.
The match
Before the game, Manager Bob Lovati was undecided what type of squad to play with. A more robust one or a more technical one? He got 15 players to warm up before the match and then decided. The more technical squad was chosen.
The first half, however, was not all that great. Bruno Giordano had a chance in the 12th minute but Pietro Carmignani saved. Nando Viola and Vincenzo D’Amico also had their chances but the former wasted his and the latter had his shot saved again by the Fiorentina goalkeeper. The only thing that the Viola managed to do was a shot by Giancarlo Galdiolo well saved by Massimo Cacciatori.
The game was pretty boring and nobody expected what was about to happen in the second half.
Lazio changed gear and in the 46th minute a great pass from D’Amico to Giordano, who saw his lob over the goalkeeper clipped over the bar by Carmignani. In the 55th, Andrea Agostinelli crossed from the left and Giordano in the middle of the box back headed the ball into the net. 1-0 for Lazio.
Five minutes later, Ciccio Cordova found D’Amico on the left whose back heel volley allowed Viola to win possession. He dribbled a player and sent the ball to the other side for Aldo Nicoli. The Lazio player stopped the ball, looked up, and sent a magnificent cross into the box for Giordano who with a perfect header made it 2-0.
Two goals for Giordano scored uncharacteristically with headers which were certainly not his forte.
At this point Fiorentina disappeared and Lazio took full control thanks to the technical players Viola, Cordova and D’Amico. In the 70th minute, Viola to Nicoli, to Giordano, to Aldo Cantarutti who passed it to Agostinelli. His shot was deflected into the goal by Fiorentina defender Roberto Galbiati.
In the 83rd minute, D’Amico won back the ball, passed it to Giordano who passed it back and Vincenzino had no problem in making it 4-0.
In the 88th minute glory also for Cacciatori’s deputy, Bruno Fantini, who came on for his debut in Serie A. It would be Fantini’s only appearance for the Biancocelesti.
Great match, wonderful Lazio.
Who played for Lazio
Cacciatori (88’ Fantini), Pighin, Viola, Wilson, Manfredonia, Cordova, Cantarutti, Agostinelli (80’ Ammoniaci), Giordano, Nicoli, D’Amico
Substitutes: De Stefanis
Manager: Lovati
Who played for Fiorentina
Carmignani, Lelj, Tendi, Galbiati, Galdiolo, Orlandini, Restelli, Di Gennaro, Sella, Antognoni, Pagliari
Substitutes : Paradisi, Marchi, Amenta
Manager: Carosi
Referee: Barbaresco
Goals: 55’ Giordano, 60’ Giordano, 70’ Galbiati (og), 83’ D’Amico
Sources
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