Game 13, Serie A
Sunday December 26, 1966
Stadio Comunale Danilo Martelli, Mantova
Mantova Lazio 0-0
Lazio defend well and manage to get a point at a difficult ground
In Serie A, the Biancocelesti had been even more disappointing than the previous year. They were 15th, in the relegation zone (four would go down to Serie B due to the decision to reduce the Serie A teams to 16 following the 1966 World Cup debacle against North Korea) and had a long way to go to get out of the troubled waters. They had won only twice, drawn five and lost five, including the derby. Mannocci was sacked in November and replaced by Maino Neri.
The previous Sunday Lazio had surprisingly beaten Inter at home and were now full of enthusiasm.
The match
Lazio, fresh from the extraordinary victory over Inter six days earlier, were full of confidence and wanted to move away from the bottom of the table. Mantova, in good form and in a tranquil position, had to do without three important players such as Gustavo Giagnoni, Biagio Catalano and Torbjorn Jonsson, who had already returned to Sweden for the Christmas holidays.
Sprint start for the home team and Biancocelesti on the defensive. In the 8th minute Gianni Corelli gave a great assist to Gaetano Salvemini who shot directly at Idilio Cei. Six minutes later Carlo Volpi challenged the Lazio keeper who made a difficult save. In the 30th minute there was a clash between Beniamino Di Giacomo and Paolo Carosi. The Mantova forward, from the ground, first kicked the Biancoceleste midfield player and then punched him. Carosi chased his opponent threateningly without being able to take revenge. Red card for the two, certainly excessive for the Lazio midfielder.
In the second half too the teams were unable to create anything dangerous and the match was of a very modest level. Five minutes from time, however, Lazio had a chance. Vito D'Amato finally managed to free himself from Mirco Pavinato's ruthless marking and ran like a train towards Dino Zoff who managed to save the result with a courageous exit. The goalkeeper suffered a bad blow to the head and remained on the ground for three minutes before recovering.
A good draw for the Biancocelesti who could now relax for the Christmas holidays.
Who played for Mantova
Zoff, Scesa, Pavinato, Volpi, Spanio, De Paoli, Spelta, Corelli, Di Giacomo, Salvemini, Tomeazzi
Manager: Cadè
Who played for Lazio
Manager: Neri
Referee: Di Tonno
Sources
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