Game 28, Serie A
Sunday, April 27, 1980
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Napoli 1-1
Lazio try harder in first half but both sides ultimately settle for the necessary point
Lazio’s season however had been marked by a terrible tragedy. On October 28 a Lazio fan, Vincenzo Paparelli, was killed inside the stadium before a local derby. A nautical flare was fired from the Roma end and, after having crossed the entire pitch, entered the Curva Nord tragically hitting 33-year-old, and father of two, Paparelli in the eye. He died on the way to hospital.
Tragedy in October was followed by drama in March. For some weeks there had been rumours circulating about a match fixing organisation active in Serie A. Well, it all came to head on March 23 when numerous players, including four from Lazio, were arrested. Lazio’s players were Massimo Cacciatori, Pino Wilson, Lionello Manfredonia and Bruno Giordano.
On that sad day Lazio had just been defeated by Pescara 0-2. They were 13th and only three points above Catanzaro in the first relegation slot. A week later however, Saint Vincenzo D'Amico led a team of youngsters to victory over the Calabresi and so Lazio were virtually safe. They then lost 0-1 at home to Bologna and drew a crucial game 1-1 at Udine. Coming into today's match Lazio had a four-point cushion on 14th placed Udinese and Catanzaro with three games to go (Pescara were already down). Today Catanzaro were playing Milan at home and Udinese were away to Bologna, there was the feeling a point could be enough today for Lazio to celebrate safety.
Today's game at the Olimpico looked likely to be a classic end of season game where the important thing was not to lose, in the sense it had a draw written all over it.
The match
A sunny, warm day saw about 30,000 spectators at the Olimpico. The hard-core fan base were unhappy about the current situation at the club and would only come into the stadium for the last five minutes.
Lazio played in uncharacteristic red shirts while Napoli played in white.
Lazio started on the front foot and seemed more interested in at least trying to play some football.
The Biancocelesti's goodwill was rewarded in the 13th minute. Vincenzo D'Amico jiggled his way down to the right by-line and then cut in, putting a perfect low ball across the goal line to Renzo Garlaschelli who put Lazio in front. Lazio 1 Napoli 0.
Napoli's reaction was feeble and it was Lazio who went closer to scoring again with Vincenzo Zucchini, Garlaschelli and Nando Viola.
At the half hour mark the visitors were forced to replace an injured Attilio Tesser for former and future Lazio player, Roberto Badiani.
Then out of the blue Napoli equalised. In the 38th minute Badiani put in a long cross into the area and young debutant Roberto Piccinini naively stuck out his arm for a clear penalty. Giovanni Improta coolly slotted it in, Lazio 1 Napoli 1.
The second half was slightly different but less lively. Lazio pulled back and prioritised the necessity to secure a point. Napoli on the other hand attacked more but were never really dangerous.
Both sides however hit the woodwork. Lazio with D'Amico whose cross from the left bounced off the bar and then Gaetano Musella who stretched out on a loose ball, anticipating Riccardo Budoni, but hit the post.
It then became increasingly clear what had been predictable coming into the game, both teams would be pleased with a point. A point it had to be and a point it was. Final score Lazio 1 Napoli.
Meanwhile the fans had made their appearance, giving warm support to the team but were far from friendly with their chants towards the directors.
Lazio were officially safe as Udinese had lost at Bologna. A terrible year was finally over but unfortunately it was about to get worse.
Napoli were also definitely out of trouble with today’s point.
Who played for Lazio
Budoni, Piccinini, Citterio, Perrone, Pighin, Zucchini, Garlaschelli, Labonia (55' A. Lopez), D'Amico, Ferretti, Viola
Manager: Lovati
Who played for Napoli
Castellini, Bruscolotti, Volpecina, Bellugi, Ferrario, Tesser (30' Badiani), Celestini, Improta, Speggiorin, Musella, Filippi
Substitutes: Fiore, Damiani
Manager: Sormani
Referee: Bianciardi
Goals: 13' Garlaschelli, 39' Improta (pen)
Sources
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