Game 7, Serie A
Sunday November 28, 1976
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Roma 1-0
A fantastic goal by Giordano plus a number of Pulici miracles give Lazio a precious win in the derby
In the first six games the Biancocelesti had done well and were fourth. New Manager Luis Vinicio had introduced a few young players in the squad: Bruno Giordano, who had played well the previous year in Serie A with and in place of Giorgio Chinaglia, Lionello Manfredonia and Andrea Agostinelli.
During the week the team had visited Tommaso Maestrelli in hospital. The cancer had come back and the maestro was getting worse. But he promised he would be in the stands on Sunday for the derby.
The match
Roma started the game aggressively and crushed Lazio in their own half. Despite missing Francesco Rocca, Franco Peccenini and Pierino Prati, they attacked right from the word go. Luis Vinicio had changed the team tactics and relied on man-to-man marking rather than zonal play.
In the 11th minute Bruno Conti missed an easy chance, then Felice Pulici seven minutes later did not allow Giuliano Musiello to shoot so Manfredonia was able to clear. After another missed Conti chance, Pulici managed to save two consecutive shots by Agostino DI Bartolomei and Stefano Pellegrini. The Giallorossi continued with their assault. Corner after corner, cross after cross but they simply could not beat Pulici. Another fantastic save came on a Pellegrini header after a Conti cross.
The Biancocelesti relied on the counter attack and Renzo Garlaschelli had a good opportunity but his shot went too high. In the 40th minute Roberto Badiani crossed into the box, Garlaschelli managed to head the ball to Giordano on the left. The Lazio centre-forward dribbled past Mauro Sandreani and Paolo Conti came out of the goal to face him, thinking that Giordano would logically pass to a better positioned Garlaschelli. Instead Bruno-gol shot at goal from an impossible angle. Lazio 1 Roma 0.
The Giallorossi had not deserved to be behind and lost a bit of momentum. The Biancocelesti realised that it was an “off” day and decided to slow down the pace and let time tick away. The second half was much more balanced but Roma went close to an equaliser a few times. Domenico Maggiora missed an easy chance in the 64th minute after another splendid Pulici save on a Pellegrini shot. Another incredible save then came on a Giancarlo De Sisti whack from outside the box. Walter Sabatini too had a chance towards the end of the game but he squandered it.
Lazio won the game, undeservedly, but who cares!!! Pulici was unbeatable and played the best game of his life.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Ammoniaci, Martini, Wilson, Manfredonia, Cordova, Garlaschelli, Agostinelli, Giordano, D’Amico (79’ Lopez), Badiani
Manager: Vinicio
Who played for Roma
Conti P., Maggiora, Sandreani (77’ Sabatini), Boni, Santarini, Menichini, Conti B., Di Bartolomei, Musiello, De Sisti, Pellegrini
Substitutes: Quintini, Chinellato
Manager: Liedholm
Referee: Michelotti
Goal: 40’ Giordano
Sources
Comments