Lazio give Cagliari the scudetto

Season 1969-70

Game 28, Serie A

Sunday April 12, 1970

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Juventus 2-0

Lazio do Cagliari a great favour and by beating Juventus hand them the scudetto.

Lazio had not started too badly, but any ambition was foiled after they lost four games in the row towards the end of 1969. The beginning of the second half of the season did not go very well and at the beginning of March they were only two points above the relegation zone. But in the four games prior to this match they won two (including beating Inter 3-1) and drew two, hence mathematically guaranteeing another year in Serie A.

Juventus were second, three points behind Cagliari and there were three games to the end of the season (just two points for a win). The Bianconeri needed to win to keep their scudetto hopes alive.

The match

The two teams battled from the word go. First a shot from outside the box by Ferruccio Mazzola was saved into corner by Roberto Tancredi and then Erminio Favalli on right had a chance but his shot was well saved by Rosario Di Vincenzo. Juventus produced their maximum effort in the beginning of the game, but after a wide shot by Gianfranco Leoncini, Lazio got themselves better organised and started to become more dangerous.

In the first half a wonderful cross by Giuliano Fortunato was met by Gian Piero Ghio in a perfect position to head the ball in, but his attempt was pretty poor. After a shot from outside the box by Nello Governato just wide, in the 31st minute Giorgio Chinaglia had a chance on a Tancredi blunder but he could not control the ball. In the 42nd minute another Mazzola shot caressed the crossbar. Two minutes later Chinaglia had another chance but his header went just wide. Juventus closed the first half with a powerful wide shot by Antonello Cuccureddu.

The second half opened with a colossal chance for Juventus. Lamberto Leonardi dribbled a few Lazio players and entered the penalty box in a central position with just Di Vincenzo to beat. His shot went wide.

In the 52nd minute Lazio scored. Rino Marchesi to Fortunato on the left. The Lazio winger dribbled past Cuccureddu and sent in another perfect cross for Ghio. This time the Lazio forward made no mistake and headed the ball in.

Another match changer in the 60th minute. Favalli was sent off after having punched Giuseppe Massa.

In the 74th minute Massa crossed in the box from the right. Chinaglia controlled the ball with his chest, back to the goal and tried to turn around. Francesco Morini brought him down and for the ref it was a penalty. Chinaglia made it 2-0. Game over and Scudetto to Cagliari.

Who played for Lazio

Di Vincenzo, Papadopulo, Wilson, Governato, Polentes, Marchesi, Massa, Mazzola (76’ Morrone), Chinaglia, Ghio, Fortunato