Game 18, Serie B
Sunday, April 28, 1968
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Lecco 1-0
A Massa goal gives Lazio much needed two points
In Serie B Lazio had not been doing very well. At the end of the first half of the season they were 12th, though only four points away from the promotion zone (there were 17 teams in just eight points). Since then, things had not improved. Renato Gei was sacked in February and the team was handed over to Bob Lovati. The Biancocelesti were 14th, just two points more than the relegation zone. Not the way fans had hoped the season would go.
A win today would be vital.
Five days before this match President Umberto Lenzini nominated Juan Carlo Lorenzo as technical consultant. He had been Biancoceleste manager from 1962 to 1964. The return of Lorenzo was met with mixed feelings by the fans. Some did not forget his betrayal in 1964 when he decided to sign for Roma despite the fact he had agreed to stay on as Lazio manager.
The match
Both teams were in trouble and needed vital points to get out of the relegation zone. The Biancocelesti had not won a game for two months and attacked right from the word go. The first half was a Lazio monologue with several chances wasted by the players who were able to take advantage of the many gaps in the Lecco defensive wall but were always off target when finishing. There were a couple of possible hand balls in the box, but the referee was never convinced enough to give Lazio a penalty.
In the 46th minute finally light at the end of the tunnel. Lazio started the second half, Giuseppe Massa got the ball and ran towards the penalty box, dribbled past a couple of players and from 20 metres took a shot at goal and scored. At this point Lecco, full of defensive players, were forced to attack and the Biancocelesti could have scored many more goals on the counter attack. In the 64th minute Alberto Mari had a chance but wasted too much time for the shot and Aldo Sensibile managed to anticipate him. Five minutes later, the winger had another opportunity after a Massa-Pietro Adorni one-two, but he again missed this time depositing a shot into the arms of the keeper. Arrigo Dolso then did a box to box only to produce a lame shot comfortably saved by Giuseppe Meraviglia. Three minutes from time Massa did the same and his attempt shaved the post.
Fundamental two points for Lazio.
Who played for Lazio
Substitutes: Di Vincenzo
Manager: Lovati
Who played for Lecco
Meraviglia, Facca, Sensibile, Bacher, Pasinato, Sacchi, Dehò, Azzimonti, Paganini, Del Barba, Innocenti
Substitutes: Pulici
Manager: Longoni
Referee: Gonella
Goal: 46’ Massa
Sources
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