Game 14, Serie B
Sunday, December 13, 1981
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Pisa 2-2
In a match heavily influenced by strong winds Lazio give up a 2 goal lead to impressive Pisa.
Lazio had got off to a sluggish start with 1 point in the first 3 games but at this stage were showing signs of improvement and came into the game in 4th place with 15 points.
So far Pisa were confirming their ambitions, playing attractive football, growing in confidence and were only 1 point behind Lazio with 14.
The match
A cold, sunny day in Rome, with strong northerly “tramontana” winds blowing, gathered a crowd of 30,000 at the Olimpico.
In the first half it was Lazio who attacked with the wind behind them but the game was evenly balanced. Both teams had chances; Pisa with Pasquale Casale and Alessandro Bertoni and Lazio with Walter Speggiorin. In the 35th minute it would be Speggiorin who broke the deadlock, stealing the show in the most spectacular fashion. The Lazio centre-forward connected with a Roberto Badiani cross, and with an acrobatic bicycle kick put the ball in the top hand corner scoring a goal of rare beauty.
Pisa were reorganising themselves and starting to threaten, when only 8 minutes later Lazio doubled their lead. Defender Giorgio Mastropasqua tried his luck from long distance, the ball which was probably carried and pushed by the strong wind, rocketed into the top hand corner. At this point Lazio seemed in control, but there was still the whole second half to be played, this time against the wind.
After the break Pisa took only 10 minutes to pull one back. In the 55th minute, again with the complicity of the northerly wind, a cross by Attilio Sorbi took on a strange trajectory and went in off the post. The Tuscan nerazzurri, already on top, now definitely took control of the proceedings looking for an equaliser. The deadly duo Casale-Bertoni in cooperation with second half substitute Roberto Bergamaschi, wreaked havoc in the Lazio defence. For Lazio Vincenzo D'Amico had gone off injured (61') and they had great difficulty holding on to possession to try to slow the game down. Pisa's efforts were rewarded in the 74th minute when Michele De Nadai fouled Attilio Sorbi inside the box, giving away a clear penalty. Casale stepped up and coolly slotted in from the spot kick to level the score. Pisa almost stole it towards the end and looked the more likely to win, but the score remained 2-2.
A missed opportunity for Lazio, who however could also easily have lost. Pisa confirmed to be an exciting and technical side with good reason to be optimistic for the continuation of the season.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Chiarenza, Badiani, Mastropasqua, Pighin, De Nadai, Viola, Sanguin, D'Amico (61' Vagheggi), Ferretti, Speggiorin
Substitutes: Marigo, Benini, Mirra, Garlaschelli
Manager: Castagner
Who played for Pisa
Mannini, Riva, Massimi, Vianello, Garuti, Gozzoli, E.Vigano (46' R.Bergamaschi), Casale, Bertoni, Sorbi, Birigozzi (83' Ciardelli)
Substitutes: Buso, Secondini, Pagliari
Manager: Agroppi
Referee: Lops
Goals: 35' Speggiorin, 43' Mastropasqua, 55' Sorbi, 74' Casale (pen)
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