Game 5, Serie A
Sunday, November 5, 1972
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Ternana 2-1
A routine win despite late Wilson own goal and perfect preparation for derby despite Chinaglia injury scare
After four games Lazio had 6 points. The Biancocelesti had won 2 (Fiorentina 1-0 and Vicenza 2-1, both away) and drawn 2 (Inter 0-0 and Juventus 1-1, both at home).
The match
A big crowd of 60,000 were at the Olimpico on a nice, sunny November day.
Lazio had their best team and celebrated captain Pino Wilson's and Mario Facco's 100th game for the Biancocelesti.
During the week Tommaso Maestrelli had drilled into the team the notion that the Rossoverdi from Terni were in no way to be underestimated. The team seemed to have listened and took charge of the midfield and attacked.
Ternana however were extremely compact and defended well. In the 19th minute the Umbrian’s number 3 Agretti came to Lazio's aid giving away a cheap penalty on Giorgio Chinaglia. "Long John" beat Alessandrelli with a spot kick into the left corner. Lazio 1 Ternana 0.
Only five minutes later Giorgio Mastropasqua fouled Franco Nanni in the area, this time it was a clear penalty and the referee again pointed to the nine-metre spot. At this point there was a bit of drama as the referee, confusing the two players, booked Agretti for the second time and ordered him to leave the field. The man in black then corrected his mistake and booked Mastropasqua but Agretti, seemingly on the verge of a nervous breakdown, wanted to abandon the field in protest. It took a few slaps by manager Viciani to convince him to carry on.
Finally, the penalty was taken but Chinaglia, maybe distracted by all the palaver, had his shot saved by Alessandrelli.
The game became dirtier after this bit of theatre but Lazio doubled their lead in the 37th minute. Mario Frustalupi skilfully dribbled past a defender and let loose a powerful, long range right foot from about 25 metres out, which went in at mid height, in the left-hand corner. A brilliant goal, Lazio 2 Ternana 0 at half time.
In the second half Lazio slowed the rhythm down and controlled Ternana's sterile attempts to get back into the game. Nanni almost made it three when his proverbial bullet of a shot, on the half volley, hit the post.
In the 76th minute came an unexpected twist when Giuseppe Wilson turned an innocuous Beatrice cross into his own net. Lazio 2 Ternana 1. Out of the blue the game was reopened and in the 78th minute Lazio put on a more defensive Sergio Petrelli for Renzo Garlaschelli.
Lazio did not run any excessive risks but in the dying minutes came a major worry when Chinaglia was forced off with an ankle injury which needed several stitches. Not good news a week before the derby. The good news was the final whistle which gave Lazio another two points. Lazio 2 Ternana 1.
A good win for the Biancocelesti with standout performances by midfielders Nanni, Frustalupi and Luciano Re Cecconi. The table now read Lazio, Milan, Inter and Roma all joint top with 8 points. Next up, the derby...
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Facco, Martini, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Garlaschelli (78' Petrelli), Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, Manservisi
Substitutes: Moriggi
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Ternana
Alessandrelli, Benatti, Agretti, Mastropasqua, Rosa, Marinai, Cardillo, Lucchitta, Jacolino, Russo, Beatrice
Substitutes: Tancredi, Brutto
Manager: Viciani
Referee: Toselli
Goals: 20' Chinaglia (pen), 37' Frustalupi, 76' Wilson (og)
Sources
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