Game 30, Serie A
Sunday, May 13, 1979
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Milan 1-1
An enjoyable game ends in a draw that pleases everyone
In Serie A, Lazio were in 8th position, on 28 points. Bruno Giordano was top Serie A scorer with 18 league goals. The highlight had obviously been beating city rivals Roma, coming from behind and winning with an 88th minute Aldo Nicoli goal.
Milan had won the Scudetto a week earlier. The "Diavolo" had won 17 (including Inter 1-0, Lazio 2-0) drawn 10 (including Inter 1-1) and lost 3. Top scorer was Alberto Bigon with 16 goals (11 in A).
Today was a celebration for Milan and it was also Gianni Rivera's last ever match. Lazio were the sparring partner who however wanted to end the season well.
The Match
A summery day and a party atmosphere at the Olimpico. There was a full house with 80,000 fans, many Milan continuing their Scudetto celebrations.
Lazio were without captain Pino Wilson while Milan had Walter De Vecchi and Roberto Antonelli unavailable.
The game was lively from the start. Milan looked as if they wanted to enjoy themselves and pushed forward. In the 8th minute they took the lead. The move started with Alberto Bigon to Gianni Rivera, out to Stefano Chiodi, back to Bigon who went round Massimo Cacciatori and slotted it in. Great move at lightning speed and Lazio 0 Milan 1.
Lazio at this point showed they had no intention of passively attending Milan's show. In the 17th minute Giorgio Morini tried an improbable high back header to Enrico Albertosi and Bruno Giordano got onto it but his volley flew over the bar.
Milan then tested Cacciatori several times with Aldo Maldera and Bigon but Cacciatori was on top form. Milan seemed to be trying to get Maldera to score as, if he did, he would equal Giacinto Facchetti's record of 10 goals in a season for a full-back.
Giordano was then dangerous again but after gliding through Milan's defence he pulled his shot wide and then a little later headed a glorious chance over the bar. Vincenzo D'Amico threatened too, but Albertosi dived low and parried for a corner.
In the 32nd minute Lazio equalised. Morini hesitated in the area trying to clear the ball challenged by Renzo Garlaschelli, the situation was taken advantage of by Bruno Giordano who stole the ball and fired home. Lazio 1 Milan 1.
In the 39th minute there was a possible penalty for Milan as 18-year-old Carlo Perrone caused Chiodi to go down in the area. The Milan players in party mode did not make a fuss.
Just before halftime Garlaschelli could have put Lazio in front but he shot straight at Albertosi. Half time Lazio 1 Milan.
The game was quite open and entertaining despite neither team having much to play for.
In the second half Fabio Capello came on for Gianni Rivera. This would be the legendary Milan number 10's last ever game. For Lazio, Andrea Agostinelli replaced Lionello Manfredonia.
In the 47th minute Maldera tried again, on a Capello assist he headed the ball on and, from the penalty spot, shot towards goal but Cacciatori pulled off another excellent save. Then Maldera, after being set up by Ruben Buriani, had a shot cleared off the line by Paolo Ammoniaci.
Lazio responded with a chance for D'Amico from close range but Albertosi, not to be outshone by his colleague, saved well.
Lazio almost stole it when Garlaschelli found himself unmarked in front of Albertosi and scored but it was then disallowed. No need to spoil the party atmosphere.
The game then faded in intensity and with the fans starting to gather around the athletics track for the usual end of season "pitch invasion" the pact of non-belligerence was definitely sealed. The Milan keeper even played the last few minutes almost at midfield to be nearer the changing rooms. The referee blew up three minutes early and the players darted to safety while the fans swarmed onto the field for their moment of excitement. Final score Lazio 1 Milan 1.
All in all, a decent game, at least for an hour. A draw was always the most likely outcome but it had been entertaining. Everyone was happy, Milan champions and Lazio with a satisfactory result and season. The only sad fact was that Gianni Rivera would never grace the Serie A fields again. Lazio legend and Scudetto winner Gigi Martini was also retiring (although he would play some games in the States).
Who played for Lazio
Cacciatori, Ammoniaci, Martini, Perrone, Manfredonia (46' Agostinelli), Badiani, Garlaschelli, Lopez, Giordano, Viola, D'Amico
Substitutes: Fantini, Cantarutti
Manager: Lovati
Who played for Milan
Albertosi, Collovati, Maldera, Morini, Bet, Baresi, Novellino, Bigon, Chiodi, Rivera (46' Capello), Buriani
Substitutes: Rigamonti, Boldini
Manager: Liedholm
Referee: Terpin
Goals: 8' Bigon, 32' Giordano
Sources
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