A late but thoroughly deserved win

Season 1985-86

Game 24, Serie B

Sunday, February 23, 1986

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio - Sambenedettese 1-0

Lazio’s top scorer Garlini punishes negative Samb

The Biancocelesti started off okay with four wins, a draw, and a defeat but then faded. They had already lost 8 matches and were in mid-table limbo, on 22 points. Sambenedettese were on 23 points.

A mid-table clash this afternoon but Lazio were underperforming while the Marchigiani visitors were in line with their expectations.

The match

A 20,000 crowd for this mid-table Serie B clash.

Lazio were without defender Massimo Piscedda, midfielders Vincenzo D'Amico, Fortunato Torrisi and Claudio Vinazzani.

This was one of Lazio's last chances to have any hopes of a late promotion push. The fixture list said Lazio would have eight home games out of fourteen after this game, but first they had to win this one. Sambenedettese were above them in the table so it would not be easy.

The match started with the visitors with a very defensive approach. This would not change for the whole 90 minutes.

The Curva Nord had a banner reading "With anger in our hearts ... you are not worthy of our love” (in Italian it rhymes..). At least today the team seemed interested and attacked from the first minute.

Sambenedettese were surprisingly negative and made it clear their sole objective was to come away from Rome with a point.

Lazio dominated with Domenico Caso back in midfield pulling the strings, Giorgio Magnocavallo pushing on the left flank and Fabio Poli's mobility forcing the Marchigiani to a continuous and flustered defence of their area.

The Sambenedettese keeper Simone Braglia was the only reason Lazio did not score at least a couple of goals in the first half. The Biancocelesti and Poli in particular were also denied a blatant penalty. After 45 minutes of attack against defence the referee blew up. Lazio 0 Sambenedettese 0.

For the second period, Samb manager Vitali replaced midfielder Tiziano Manfrin with Bruno Ranieri.

The pattern did not change, Lazio pushing forward and the visitors concentrating only on breaking down the Biancocelesti's attempts. The most dangerous the Rossoblu were was simply having a corner (to Lazio's ten).

Lazio's chances of scoring were not helped by their main striker, Giuliano Fiorini, having an off day which became worse in the 51st minute when he was sent off for excessive protests after being booked.

Now surely Sambenedettese would try something a minimum more adventurous? They did not and stubbornly continued their exclusively defensive game plan.

In the 70th the Rossoblu replaced defender Luigi Cagni with another defender Antonio Schio.

Even with ten men Lazio created chances but simply could not score, also due to keeper Braglia continuing to excel.

However, just as time and hope was running out Lazio scored. Fabio Calcaterra burst down the right wing and put in an inviting low cross which bounced up to Oliviero Garlini, going towards the front post, he twisted his body and put the ball in on the far post. A great goal and totally deserved, Lazio 1 Sambenedettese 0.

There was no way the Marchigiani were going to be able to change gear after being so negative for so long. The last thing to note in the 89th minute was Garlini coming off to lap up the fans' applause and being replaced by Oscar Damiani. Final score Lazio 1 Sambenedettese 0.

Lazio overtook Sambenedettese and rose to 24 points. If they played like today there was still a chance of catching up with the front runners over the last 14 games.

Who played for Lazio

Ielpo, Podavini, Calisti, Galbiati, Calcaterra, Magnocavallo, Poli, Toti, Fiorini, Caso, Garlini (89' Damiani)