Game 7 Serie A
Sunday, November 19, 1972
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio-Palermo 2-0
With a routine win over Palermo the Biancocelesti become solitary Serie A leaders
After six games Lazio had 10 points and were joint top with Inter. The Biancocelesti had won 4 (Fiorentina 1-0 and Vicenza 2-1, both away, Ternana 2-1 at home and a week earlier the derby 1-0) and drawn 2 (Inter 0-0 and Juventus 1-1, both at home).
Today the Eagles hoped to continue on the waves of enthusiasm against lowly Palermo.
With the Milanese derby being played, Lazio, with a win, had a chance to possibly go top.
The match
A sunny but fresh afternoon with a north wind blowing saw about 45,000 turn up at the Olimpico.
Lazio were without Paolo Manservisi while Palermo were missing midfielder Erminio Favalli (Beppe's uncle) and defender Luigi Pasetti.
Lazio took control of the game from the start. The Biancocelesti were quick, slick and full of energy. Palermo looked inferior in every way.
It took Lazio just under a quarter of an hour to take the lead. In the 13th minute Giorgio Chinaglia hammered home from near the penalty spot. Lazio 1 Palermo 0.
Lazio continued to dominate and doubled their lead just after the half hour. In the 34th minute Giacomo La Rosa with a precise header put the Biancocelesti 2-0 up.
Lazio were totally superior but it was in midfield especially where they stamped their absolute authority on the game. Luciano Re Cecconi and Franco Nanni's athleticism, Mario Frustalupi's playmaking skills and Gigi Martini constantly pushing down his wing meant the Palermitani saw little of the ball.
The second half was similar. Palermo however had a bit more urgency about them and attacked a little more. In the 66th minute they had the chance to possibly reopen the contest when Gaetano Troja went round Felice Pulici but his shot was cleared off the line by Pino Wilson.
Despite the visitors' improvement it was still Lazio who had several more chances to score again. La Rosa in particular went close, hitting a post and a crossbar.
Just to be safe in the 83rd minute defender Sergio Petrelli came on for La Rosa. Lazio comfortably saw the game out. Full time Lazio 2 Palermo 0.
Ultimately an easy win for Lazio who were in total control and could have won by more goals.
More good news came at the end as Milan had beaten Inter 3-2 in the Milanese derby. This meant Lazio were now solitary leaders with 12 points ahead of Milan and Inter on 10. Lazio were in dreamland.
Palermo meanwhile were now joint bottom with Sampdoria and Vicenza.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Facco, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Garlaschelli, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, La Rosa (83' Petrelli)
Substitutes: Moriggi
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Palermo
Girardi, Sgrazzutti, Viganò, Arcoleo, Landini, Landri, Pace, Vanello, Troja, Pereni, Ballabio
Substitutes: Ferretti, Reja
Manager: Pinardi
Referee: Lazzaroni
Goals: 14' Chinaglia, 34' La Rosa
Sources
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