Fighting derby

Updated: Oct 31

Season 1984-85

Game 23, Serie A

Sunday, March 24, 1985

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Roma 1-1

The usual Rome derby: a draw and fights between players

Lazio were second from last, six points away from safety. A miracle was needed.

The match

Certainly not a great moment for football in the city of Rome and only 50,000 spectators attended.

Compared to how Lazio had played under Juan Carlos Lorenzo, this was champagne football. Not a lot happened in the first half, but the Biancocelesti did try to win. In the 13th minute Bruno Giordano scored but the referee decided that he had fouled Ubaldo Righetti and gave a free kick to Roma. In the 42nd minute Giordano was fouled in the box but again D’Elia said play on.

The Giallorossi had been non-existent in the first half, but in the second they at least tried something. Ernesto Calisti was forced to clear a Giuseppe Giannini shot close to the line before a massive confrontation between the two teams ended up with two red cards. Michael Laudrup went off on the left and to stop him from progressing was grabbed by Carlo Ancelotti. The Dane was not pleased and this started a mini brawl during which Odoacre Chierico punched Giordano. D’Elia sent off the red headed Roma player plus Oliviero Garlini who had not actually done anything. After a possible penalty was ignored by the ref for a foul on Ciccio Graziani by Nando Orsi, Roma scored. In the 71st minute, Aldo Maldera passed to Graziani on the edge of the box, a Lazio defender intervened, Roberto Antonelli tried a volley and what came out was a splendid shot that put Roma ahead.

Lazio attacked venomously. Massimo Storgato tried a shot which Franco Tancredi miraculously managed to get a hand to. From the corner Francesco Fonte crossed, Gabriele Podavini headed the ball towards the centre of the box and Giordano with a second header equalised.

Towards the end of the match Antonelli had a chance to win it for the Giallorossi, but his header was cleared off the line by Podavini.

Not a very exciting match, but at least Lazio did not lose.

Who played for Lazio

Orsi, Calisti, Podavini, Spinozzi, Storgato, Fonte, Garlini, Torrisi, Giordano, Laudrup, Marini (75’ D’Amico).