Game 24, Serie A
Sunday, March 15, 1970
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Palermo 4-0
Three first half goals close the game against slow and confused Sicilian Rosaneri
So far, Lazio were having a reasonable campaign and were just below mid table but still had to look over their shoulders.
The match
A rainy March day welcomed the clash of the eagles in Rome today with a crowd of about 25,000.
The Rosanero Eagles were without some important players: Gaetano Troja, Silvino Bercellino and Luigi Pasetti. For Lazio, Giorgio Chinaglia was back from suspension to lead the attacking line.
And attack he did, creating chances with solo efforts in the 9th and 12th minutes. It was however Ferruccio Mazzola II who broke the deadlock after 21 minutes. Lazio started a counterattack with Giancarlo Morrone, Giampiero Ghio and Giuseppe Massa finished off by Mazzola with a powerful mid-height shot. 1-0 Lazio.
Palermo were sluggish and their moves were too elaborate and predictable. They did have a penalty appeal in the 32nd minute for a foul by Pino Wilson on the lively Sergio Pelizzaro but the referee saw nothing in it. The action moved down the opposite end and, after some hesitant defending by Antonio De Bellis, Chinaglia dispossessed the Palermitano and altruistically served the ball to Ghio who made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute. A minute before halftime "Long John" Chinaglia got the goal he deserved. A spectacular acrobatic diving header from a Ghio cross made it 3-0.
In the second half Lazio controlled Palermo's attempts to get back in the match without too much difficulty. The Lazio keeper was kept on his toes by Mario Giubertoni and Pelizzaro but the Sicilians never really got near a lifeline scoring.
In fact it was Lazio who got another when they were finally awarded their first penalty of the season, after 24 games. A foul by Alfredo Alario on Chinaglia was considered serious enough for referee Renzo Torelli to indicate the spot kick. Chinaglia stepped up and sent the keeper one way and the ball the other. Lazio 4 Palermo 0.
Despite the heavy pitch Lazio had looked sharp, fit and determined. They were given a standing ovation by their fans at the end of the match and now looked forward to the prestigious next home game against Inter.
Who played for Lazio
Di Vincenzo, Papadopulo, Wilson, Governato (65' Casisa), Polentes, Marchesi, Massa, Mazzola II, Chinaglia, Ghio, Morrone
Substitutes: Fiorucci
Manager: Lorenzo
Who played for Palermo
Ferretti, Sgrazzutti, Giubertoni, Lancini, Bertuolo, De Bellis, Pellizzaro, Landoni, Causio, Reja, Ferrari (70' Alario)
Substitutes: Cei
Manager: Di Bella
Referee: Torelli
Goals: 21' Mazzola II, 33' Ghio, 44' Chinaglia, 71' Chinaglia (pen)
Source
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