Game 12, Serie A
Sunday December 18, 1966
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Inter 1-0
A splendid goal from D’Amato gives the Biancocelesti two points over the current champions
Lazio were 15th in the relegation zone (four would go down to Serie B due to the decision to reduce the Serie A teams to 16 following the 1966 World Cup debacle against North Korea) and had a long way to go to get out of the troubled waters. Umberto Mannocci was sacked in November and replaced by Maino Neri.
A win against Inter would be vital. But the Neroazzurri were one of the best teams in Europe. They had won the scudetto the previous year and the European Cup in 1964 and 1965. Much of that team would be playing in Rome: Giacinto Facchetti, Sandro Mazzola, Luis Suarez, Jair, Mario Corso, but also future Lazio players Mario Facco and Carlo Soldo plus old timer and future Lazio manager Luis Vinicio. They were also top of the table.
The Match
Inter had Tarcisio Burnich out due to injury but were the clear favourites as they soon showed in the 8th minute. Corso to Suarez who dribbled past Pietro Adorni and passed to Mazzola. Massive shot which hit the woodwork. Five minutes later Corso had a chance but in front of Idilio Cei could not do better than kick the ball at the keeper. In the 28th minute Gianfranco Bedin had an incredible scoring opportunity thanks to a Jair assist but shot wide. In the 38th minute Cei was nothing short of miraculous on a Mazzola lob. Towards the end of the first half Lazio finally created a couple of chances but Romano Bagatti’s shot was too high and Enrico Burlando’s attempt was saved by Giuliano Sarti.
In the 64th minute a Corso-Bedin-Suarez play allowed Angelo Domenghini a chance but his header was well saved by Cei. In the 73rd minute Facchetti tried from outside the box but it went wide.
In the 80th minute, the miracle. Burlando to Vito D’Amato who lobbed the ball over Aristide Guarneri, moved it to his left foot beating Facchetti and then volleyed the ball into the goal. A sensational goal.
Inter took back control of the game and Paolo Carosi saved a certain goal on a Domenghini cross. In the 88th minute Bedin had the chance to tap the ball in after a Cei save, but it went out.
A great and unexpected victory for Lazio.
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Neri
Who played for Inter
Sarti, Landini, Facchetti, Bedin, Guarneri, Picchi, Jair, Mazzola, Domenghini, Suarez, Corso
Manager: Helenio Herrera
Referee: Francescon
Goal: 80’ D’Amato
Sources
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