Lecce too weak for Lazio

Season 1990-91

Game 20, Serie A

Sunday, February 10, 1991

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Lecce 2-0

Two goals in the first half were enough for Lazio to beat a very weak Lecce

After a disappointing first half of the season there seemed to be a bit of change in the beginning of the second half and Lazio won against Torino at home and then drew for the 14th time this season against Parma. Time for another win?

The match

A minute of silence was taken before the match to remember the passing of Giorgio Calleri, brother of President Gian Marco and Vice President of the club. He was the financial brains behind Lazio at that time.

Dino Zoff finally decided to use Pedro Troglio who had not played a game since the World Cup final and Lazio benefitted immensely. It was not an easy start to the match. Lecce decided to build a wall in defence and Lazio had a few problems in finding the keys to get in the door, also due to a poor pitch.

In the 32nd minute Lecce had their best chance of the whole match. Free kick on the left, Antonio Carannante crossed the ball and Mazinho’s diving header went just wide. Three minutes later Lazio scored. Free kick this time for Lazio outside of the penalty box, just slightly left of centre. Somebody in the crowd cried “if God exists Lazio score”, and, possibly in order to prove a point, Troglio touched the ball to Roberto Soldà, his whack got deflected by Alessandro Morello and it was 1-0 for Lazio.

Two minutes later Claudio Sclosa took a free kick from Lazio’s right. Cross in the middle for Angelo Gregucci, completely unmarked, who had no problem in heading the ball in the net. 2-0 for Lazio and de facto game over.

In the second half Lazio continually tried to get a third but Karl-Heinz Riedle, Ruben Sosa, Giampaolo Saurini and Raffaele Sergio either found the gloves of the Lecce goalkeeper or shot wide. Lecce, reduced to ten men from the 64th minute after Giacomo Ferri’s second yellow card, disappeared from the game.

Good win for Lazio, there was still European hope.

Who played for Lazio

Fiori, Bergodi, Sergio, F. Marchegiani, Gregucci, Soldà, Madonna, Troglio, Riedle (63’ Saurini), Sclosa, Sosa