Coppa Italia, Second Round Group Stage, Game 2
Wednesday, January 23, 1974
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Juventus 0-0
No winners in the Cup but the eyes were already on the big-league clash in a month's time
Lazio had started their Coppa Italia campaign in August in the first group phase. The Biancocelesti had won 2 (Varese 2-0 and Novara 6-0, both at home), drawn 1 (the derby 0-0) and lost 1 (Brescia 0-2 away).
In the second group phase Lazio were with Juventus, Cesena and Palermo, all to be played home and away. Lazio had played Cesena away on December 12 and lost 1-2. There was the impression Lazio were clearly prioritising the league.
Today however no-one wanted to lose against league rivals Juventus.
The match
A cold, Wednesday 2.30 kick-off still attracted a decent 45,000 crowd to the Olimpico.
Both teams had several absences. Lazio were without Renzo Garlaschelli and Luciano Re Cecconi while Franco Nanni and Vincenzo D'Amico were on the bench. Juventus were missing Sandro Salvadore, Roberto Bettega, Franco Causio and Antonello Cuccureddu while Silvio Longobucco was on the bench. The Cup was appealing but the Campionato was more important.
The game started at a slow pace but it was Lazio who took the initiative. In the 7th minute Giorgio Chinaglia shot wide, in the 25th Dino Zoff saved from Chinaglia and in the 26th Paolo Franzoni missed the target in a crowded area, from a Mario Frustalupi low cross.
Lazio's pressure gradually subsided and Juventus had two goals disallowed for offside. Both were by Jose Altafini, the second a header but on both occasions the linesman's flag was up. Halftime score Lazio 0 Juventus.
It was not a spectacular affair. Both sides were playing under rhythm and seemed keener not to get injured than going all out for a winner.
Maestrelli's decision to take off Mario Frustalupi for Nanni confirmed the impression.
The second half was similar to the first. Lazio attacked more but without fierce determination. In the 57th minute Giancarlo Oddi wasted a chance set up by Chinaglia and in the 63rd "Long John" shot wide from a difficult angle.
In the 70th minute Vincenzo D'Amico replaced Pierpaolo Manservisi in an attempt to bring more quality to Lazio's game.
Juventus meanwhile had a few corners and had their only chance in the 71st minute when Pietro Anastasi, teed up by Nando Viola, shot just wide.
In the 73rd minute came Lazio's last but biggest chance. Ferruccio Mazzola blasted an excellent shot towards goal but Dino Zoff pulled off a good save and put the ball into corner.
The game then petered out for a goalless draw. The result probably satisfied the visitors more than Lazio, as the Bianconeri had the home cup fixture on March 27 still to come. On this afternoon's performance however neither side looked likely to progress to the final. It was not a question of quality, as they were the best two teams in the country, but rather of priorities and desire.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Petrelli, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Inselvini, Franzoni, Mazzola II, Chinaglia, Frustalupi (46' Nanni), Manservisi (70' D'Amico),
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Juventus
Zoff, Spinosi, Marchetti, Furino, Morini, Mastropasqua, Viola, Gentile, Anastasi, Capello, Altafini
Substitutes: Piloni, Longobucco, Maggiora, Musiello
Manager: Vycpálek
Referee: Bernardis
Sources
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