Leaving hell and not coming back

Updated: Nov 13

Season 1987-88

Game 38, Serie B

Sunday June 19, 1988

Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Lazio Taranto 3-1

Lazio beat Taranto and after three years get back to Serie A

At the end of the first half of the season Lazio were fifth, one point behind fourth place.

The situation improved in the second half of the season and Lazio lost only three games. But it was tough.

Lazio-Taranto was the last game of the season. Bologna and Lecce were already promoted, Lazio and Atalanta had a one-point lead over Catanzaro. The other two matches of interest were Atalanta-Messina and Piacenza-Catanzaro.

The match

For this match there was no Curva Nord, pulled down for renovation to the Stadio Olimpico in view of the 1990 World Cup. The stadium, minus Curva Nord, was packed, everybody wanted to celebrate the return to Serie A.

De facto the game lasted just 9 minutes. Raimondo Marino received the ball from outside the box on the left and gave it a massive whack, 1-0 for Lazio.

Taranto were just a sparring partner and Lazio made sure they did not stir. Massimo Piscedda gave Gianpaolo Spagnulo some work to do with a couple of headers. Gabriele Savino missed an easy tap-in after the Taranto goalkeeper had saved a Paolo Beruatto shot.

Both Catanzaro and Atalanta were winning so Lazio decided to close the game in the second half. In the 47th minute, free kick for Lazio, Gabriele Pin took a shot, the ball reached Paolo Monelli who scored. Six minutes later Lazio made it three. Beruatto crossed from the left and Monelli managed to volley the ball in for Lazio’s 3-0.

Antonio De Vitis scored in the 78’ minute but by that time everybody was already celebrating.

Lazio, after three hellish years, were back in Serie A.

Who played for Lazio

Martina, Marino, Beruatto, Pin, Piscedda, V. Esposito, Savino, Acerbis, Rizzolo (63’ Galderisi), Caso, Monelli (74’ Muro)