Game 24, Serie A
Sunday, April 4, 1976
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Lazio Verona 1-1
The Biancocelesti get a much-needed point but the situation is getting grimmer
The beginning of the season had been terrible and new manager Giulio Corsini sacked. The Biancocelesti were 13th, in the relegation zone with just 5 points.
Tommaso Maestrelli was feeling much better and had returned almost to a normal life. President Umberto Lenzini offered him his job back and the Maestro accepted. But there were problems. Lazio did not have a playmaker since Mario Frustalupi had been sold. Lots of runners, but nobody to feed the ball to the forwards. By the end of the first half of the season there was a slight improvement and Lazio were 12th, still in the relegation zone, but together with Sampdoria and Verona and one point behind Ascoli.
Before this match the table read: Lazio, Verona and Ascoli on 17 points, Sampdoria on 16, Como 13 and Cagliari 12.
This game was a must win for the Biancocelesti.
The match
Lazio attacked right from the word go. Alberto Ginulfi had work to do almost immediately on a Gigi Martini shot and the attempted tap in from Renzo Garlaschelli. Verona replied with a Gianfranco Zigoni free kick well saved into corner by Felice Pulici. A splendid cross from Vincenzo D’Amico from the left should have allowed Giorgio Chinaglia to score a simple goal but he incredibly missed the possible header. Another D’Amico cross gave Garlaschelli the chance but his header went directly into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Around the 30th minute Sauro Catellani had both arms up in the air to parry a Chinaglia bicycle kick. A clear penalty for most of humanity but not for the referee. A minute later Verona scored. Big whack from Walter Franzot, Pulici managed to parry but Zigoni was ready for the tap in.
The Biancocelesti reacted and Ginulfi had to save a Roberto Badiani shot. In the 40th minute there was a free kick for Lazio. D’Amico crossed into the box and Livio Luppi in an attempt to stop Chinaglia, kneed the ball behind his goalkeeper.
In the second half nothing much happened. Verona controlled the match, content with the draw and Lazio tried a couple of shots with D’Amico and Chinaglia but both off target.
A missed opportunity for the Biancocelesti, the team is in great difficulty.
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Ammoniaci, Borgo, Wilson, Ghedin (52’ Polentes), Badiani, Garlaschelli, Martini, Chinaglia, D’Amico, Lopez
Substitutes: Moriggi, G.C.Ferrari
Manager: Maestrelli
Who played for Verona
Ginulfi, Bachlechner, Sirena, Busatta, Catellani, Nanni F., Franzot, Mascetti, Luppi, Maddè, Zigoni
Substitutes: Porrino, Guidolin, Macchi
Manager: Valcareggi
Sources
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