Great
An excellent Lazio beat Ternana with goals from Fortunato, Morrone and Mazzola.
Also on this day: March 16, 1941, Lazio Roma 2-0. Piola scored a brace and gave Lazio a much-needed derby win. Player of the day: Otello Zironi
The season so far
Following a disastrous year in Serie B in the previous season, 1968-69 looked like promotion was on the cards. After the first half of the season the position was joint second with Bari and behind Brescia. They had won 8, drawn 8 and lost 3. Despite Nello Governato and Giancarlo Morrone having difficulty in reaching a decent level of form, Ferruccio Mazzola and Gian Piero Ghio were playing well and new entry Mario Facco was not only great in defence but also in attack. Before today’s game they were still second but solitary and had gained a point on third place.
The manager was unofficially Juan Carlos Lorenzo again but because he was a foreigner he could not be officially manager. Therefore Bob Lovati (who else) sat on the bench during the games.
The match: Sunday March 16, 1969 Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Possibly galvanised by the fact that manager Juan Carlos Lorenzo had just obtained Italian nationality and that soon he would not only be entitled to lead the team from the bench but had also just signed a new contract for next season with an option for the following one too, the Lazio players put on an exceptional performance.
In the 8th minute after having already been dangerous, the Biancocelesti took the lead. Marvellous solo play from Morrone, his cracking shot was not held by the Ternana keeper and Giuliano Fortunato had a simple tap-in for 1-0. Carlo Soldo shortly after hit the top part of the crossbar and on the half hour Mazzola’s shot was well saved by Primo Germano. In the 35th minute, former Lazio player Orlando Rozzoni had a chance but his header only threatened. Ternana seemed to be getting the upper hand in this part of the game but a minute from half time Paolo Pandrin hit Mazzola and was sent off.
In the 50th minute Morrone, so far man of the match, after an assist from Giuseppe Massa, beat Germano with a powerful shot doubling Lazio’s lead. The Biancocelesti did not stop pushing and Fortunato had another chance shortly after but his shot went just wide.
In the 77th minute the referee gave Ternana a penalty. Diego Zanetti unfairly held back Antonio Cardillo and Giovanni Meregalli scored the spot kick. The Rossoverdi pushed for an equaliser but Lazio in the 85th minute made it three. Mazzola received the ball from Fortunato, went past two defenders and from the edge of the box had a go. Germano could not do anything to save the powerful shot.
An excellent performance from Lazio who played really well.
Who played for Lazio
Fioravanti, Zanetti, Facco, Governato, Soldo, Marchesi, Massa, Mazzola II, Fortunato, Ghio, Morrone (63’ Dolso).
Substitutes: Leardi
DT: Lorenzo
Manager: Lovati
Who played for Ternana
Germano, Pandrin, Bonassin, Corelli, Nicolini, Marinai, Cardillo, Casisa, Rozzoni, F.Liguori, Meregalli.
Substitutes: Lugarà, Imperi.
Manager: Viciani.
Referee: Possagno
Goals: 8’ Fortunato, 50’ Morrone, 77’ Meregalli (pen), 85’ Mazzola
What happened next
Lazio managed to secure promotion with two games to go and reach the top spot in the last match. Key players managed to find form and despite losing Giuseppe Massa through injury, goals came regularly from a variety of players.
The player with the most appearances in Serie B was Rino Marchesi, who played every single game, and Ghio was top scorer.
Lazio 1968-69
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie B | 38 | 17 | 16 | 5 | 55 |
Coppa Italia | 3 | - | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Total | 41 | 17 | 18 | 5 | 57 |
Top Five Appearances
Top Five Goal Scorers
Let's talk about Giuliano Fortunato
Giuliano Fortunato, forward, was born in Tricesimo near Udine on May 12, 1940.He began his career in the youth teams of Pro Gorizia and in 1959 he signed for Triestina in Serie B. After two years, he moved to Vicenza in Serie A and debuted on September 10 1961 against Catania. He scored his only goal of the season in that match.
In the autumn transfer window of 1962 he signed for Milan. He played five years with the Rossoneri but he was never really able to become a first choice player and never played more than 17 games a season. He did however win a European Cup in 1963 and a Coppa Italia in 1967.
In 1967 he joined Lazio. On his arrival the Biancocelesti were in Serie B and coached first by Roberto Gei and then Bob Lovati. Lazio finished 11th and Fortunato was top scorer with 5 league goals.
The following year Juan Carlos Lorenzo arrived as manager and Lazio won the league earning promotion back to Serie A. Fortunato played 35 league games with 8 goals, plus 2 games in Coppa Italia.
In 1969-70 Lazio had a good season in Serie A finishing 8th. He played 20 league games with 2 goals (Roma and Bari), plus 3 games in Coppa Italia.
The 1970-71 season was not as positive. Lazio were relegated back to Serie B with a 15th place finish. Fortunato played 19 league games with 1 goal (Foggia) and 2 games in Coppa Italia. Lazio did however win the Cup of the Alps beating Basel 3-1 in the final. He played 5 games and scored one goal in the tournament.
The 1971-72 season would be Fortunato's last with Lazio but it was a positive one. Under the wise guidance of new manager Tommaso Maestrelli, Lazio won promotion back to Serie A with a 2nd place finish. He played 23 league games and 9 in Coppa Italia. So Fortunato won his second promotion but then parted ways. He moved to Lecce in Serie C where he ended his career.
Fortunato was a strong centre forward with good feet. He played 153 games for Lazio (39 in Serie A, 93 in Serie B, 18 in Coppa Italia, 2 in the Intercities Fairs Cup and one in the Mitropa Cup) and scored 16 goals (3 in Serie A and 13 in Serie B).
He died in Tricesimo on September 23, 2022.
Lazio Career
Season | Total games (goals) | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia | Intercities Fairs Cup | Mitropa Cup |
1967-68 | 36 (5) | - | 34 (5) | 2 | - | - |
1968-69 | 37 (8) | - | 35 (8) | 2 | - | - |
1969-70 | 24 (2) | 20 (2) | - | 3 | - | 1 |
1970-71 | 23 (1) | 19 (1) | - | 2 | 2 | - |
1971-72 | 33 | - | 24 | 9 | - | - |
Total | 153 (16) | 39 (3) | 93 (13) | 18 | 2 | 1 |
Source
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