Game 28, Serie A
Sunday, April 23, 1978
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Perugia 2-0
An ill-tempered game is decided by an own goal and a world class Giordano. Vital two points for Lazio.
This season things were not going too well. After sacking manager Luis Vinicio, Lazio turned to Roberto "Bob" Lovati to steer the Biancocelesti to safety. His first match was lost 4-3 in Naples. Today was his fourth, the previous two had been one win (Fiorentina 1-0) and one defeat (Torino 1-0).
So far Lazio had won 6, drawn 10 and lost 11 and were involved in the relegation battle on 22 points. They had drawn both derbies and had some good wins (Juventus 3-0 and Milan 2-0) but lost far too many matches.
Today Lazio badly needed a win to avoid relegation but it would not be easy as today's opposition were Perugia.
Perugia were just off the UEFA Cup places so were still playing for something.
The match
The game was played on a warm, spring day in front of a good crowd of about 55,000.
The first half was a rough affair full of fouls and not much football. Lots of scuffles and dirty tackles. Lazio's Pietro Ghedin and Perugia's Salvatore Bagni in particular seemed to have a score to settle with each other and almost swapped football for boxing. At one point Bagni seemed to have a nervous breakdown and tried to attack the referee but luckily was restrained by his teammates. So a physical battle but there was also a goal in the first half. In the 15th minute a low cross by Andrea Agostinelli was sliced into his own net by Franco Vannini. Perugia's only chance came from a Bagni cross which Lionello Manfredonia let pass and almost caught Claudio Garella unawares. Half time came with Lazio one up but there had not been much action, apart from pushing and shoving, but at the moment this suited Lazio fine.
In the second half things calmed down slightly, Perugia were lively but never really threatened. It was Lazio who scored again in the 55th minute thanks to a brilliant Antonio Lopez initiative in which he dribbled through several defenders and serve a perfect assist to Bruno Giordano who then chipped the keeper to make it 2-0.
Perugia who had played a European game midweek at this point seemed to run out of energy and belief. Lazio went close to a third when Giordano was unable to find the goal on a Renzo Garlaschelli pass. Lazio also finally started to play some decent football after the chaotic first half. Perugia had two late chances with a cross by Novellino which put Garella in difficulty and then with a powerful Paolo Dal Fiume shot which went just wide. Final score Lazio 2 Perugia 0.
A crucial win for Lazio who had controlled a disappointing and inexplicably tense Perugia well. With these two points Lazio made an important step forward to guarantee themselves top flight football for another year.
Who played for Lazio
Garella, Ghedin, Martini, Wilson, Manfredonia, Cordova, Garlaschelli, Agostinelli, Giordano, Lopez, Badiani
Manager: Lovati
Who played for Perugia
Malizia, Nappi, Ceccarini, Frosio, Zecchini, Dal Fiume, Bagni, Amenta, Novellino, Vannini, Scarpa (71' Goretti)
Substitutes: Grassi, Fei
Manager: Castagner
Referee: Gussoni
Goals: 15' Vannini (o,g), 55' Giordano
Sources
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