A missed opportunity
Lazio had the chances to win. The table however is looking healthy
Also on this day: March 23, 2014, Lazio Milan 1-1. A mediocre spectacle finishing 1-1 with a Konko own goal and a Gonzalez equaliser is of no real satisfaction to either team. Player of the day: Abdoulay Konko
The season so far
The 1967-68 season had seen Lazio come 11th in Serie B. The manager Renato Gei had been replaced in February by form
This year Argentine Juan Carlos Lorenzo was in charge but as he wasn't in possession of the suitable documentation (Italian passport), he was officially called D.T (Technical Director) and on match days it was Bob Lovati who sat on the bench.
The main changes to the squad were the arrival of defenders Mario Facco (Inter) and Guido Onor (Juventus), midfielder Ferruccio Mazzola (Inter) and striker Gian Piero Ghio (Avellino). Leaving Lazio were goalkeeper Idilio Cei (Palermo), defenders Pierluigi Ronzon (retiring) and Alberto Mari (Sambenedettese).
Lazio were considered one of the favourites for promotion but the start had been slightly hesitant with 4 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses (Livorno and Ternana, both away). They had then picked up with 7 wins, 5 draws and 2 defeats. The Biancocelesti came into today's game in 2nd position, on 31 points. They were two points behind leaders Brescia and two above 3rd placed Reggiana. Their most recent game had been a good 3-1 home win against Ternana. Gian Piero Ghio was top scorer so far with 8 league goals.
In Coppa Italia, Lazio had gone out in September. In the first four-team group phase they had drawn two (Bologna and SPAL, both 1-1 at home) and lost one (the derby 0-1).
Padova had finished 13th the previous season, under Argentinian manager Humberto Rosa. Both games against Lazio had been draws. Top scorer was Paolo Morelli with 14 league goals.
This season the Argentine was still in charge but Morelli had left for Genoa and the Patavini were struggling. They were in 19th position, on 19 points but only one point behind Monza, safe in 17th place. The Biancoscudati had won 5, drawn 9 and lost 10 (including Lazio 0-4). A week earlier they had lost 0-2 away at Perugia.
So today was a classic game between two teams with opposite objectives but equally important.
The match: Sunday, March 23, 1969, Stadio Appiani, Padua
A cloudy, cold and showery day in Padua but good playing conditions, in front of about 7,000 spectators. The kick-off was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of Roma player Giuliano Taccola who had collapsed and died on the field at Cagliari a week earlier.
The difference in quality between the two sides was clear from the start. Lazio had several chances to take the lead early on. In the 2nd minute Ferruccio Mazzola was dangerous but Claudio Galassi saved with his upper body, a few minutes later Juan Carlos Morrone shaved the post, in the 9th Giorgio Sereni cleared off the line and then Giuseppe Massa was anticipated by Luigi Villa. In the first fifteen minutes it was all Lazio, confirmed by their six corner kicks.
Padova occasionally tried to strike on the counter attack but it was Lazio who threatened again when Mazzola burst into the area after a one-two with Massa but Galassi raced off his line and saved. On the half hour a Nello Governato effort was again cleared off the line by Piero Fraccapani.
Padova's only shot towards goal came from Giuseppe Fusi but it went wide. Halftime Padova 0 Lazio 0. Lazio could and should have been in front.
In the second half Lazio continued to have the upper hand. A Piero Cucchi shot was just off target and then Morrone was just beaten to the ball before striking towards goal from a favourable position.
Padova then had a chance of their own but Pietro Fioravanti was safe on a Paolo Bergamo shot.
Lazio then pushed forward looking for a winner but both Cucchi and Massa were unable to finish off inviting opportunities. Final score Padova 0 Lazio 0.
A missed opportunity by Lazio who had dominated for long periods but were not clinical in their finishing. An away point was not to be looked down on but today it should have been two.
Some good news however came from the other grounds. Lazio now had a four-point cushion on 4th place as Genoa had lost while Reggina and Bari had drawn. One game less to go and a slightly improved situation, no use having too many regrets about today’s game.
Padova on the other hand were still in the same situation, a worrying one. The Patavini were now solitary 19th (Cesena had won) but on the positive side now had three teams only one point ahead, Lecco (who had lost), Monza and Cesena.
Who played for Padova
Galassi, Cervato (65' Boscolo), Fusi, Villa, Fraccapani, Sereni, Gori, Fraschini, Bergamo, Brignani, Vigni
Substitutes: Buso
Manager: Rosa
Who played for Lazio
Substitutes: Leardi, Dolso
Manager: Lovati
T.D: Lorenzo
Referee: Panzino
What happened next
In the next two matches Lazio drew 1-1 at home to Mantova and then won 2-1 away at SPAL. A week later Lazio beat Brescia 1-0 in the big top of the table clash with a goal by Fortunato. They conquered first place and did not look back. With a strong finish to the season Lazio were promoted up to Serie A ahead of Brescia and Bari. They topped the league with 50 points after 17 wins, 16 draws and 5 defeats. Top scorer was Gian Piero Ghio with 10 league goals.
Padova ended up relegated. In the next six games they drew two and lost four before picking up and winning three out of five giving themselves some hope. In the last two matches however, they collapsed losing 0-3 and 0-4 and finished 20th, rock bottom. Top scorer was Paolo Bergamo with 6 league goals. Francesco Brignani would later play a season for Lazio in 1975-76, he was signed to replace Mario Frustalupi but was not a great success, only playing 11 league games.
So, it was Serie A for Lazio, Brescia and Bari. Padova went down with SPAL and Lecco.
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 | 6 | 57 |
Top five appearances (complete player statistics)
Player | Total | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
40 | 37 | 3 | |
40 | 37 | 3 | |
39 | 36 | 3 | |
38 | 38 | - | |
37 | 35 | 2 |
Top five goal scorers (complete player statistics)
Player | Total | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
Gian Piero Ghio | 11 | 10 | 1 |
Ferruccio Mazzola II | 8 | 8 | - |
Giuliano Fortunato | 8 | 8 | - |
7 | 6 | 1 | |
6 | 6 | - |
Let's talk about Pietro Fioravanti
Pietro Fioravanti was born in Cesena, on April 4, 1946. He is the son of Giorgio Fioravanti who played over 100 games in Serie A for Venezia and won a Coppa Italia in 1941. Giorgio had also played one game for Lazio in the Latin Cup.
Pietro Fioravanti grew up in the Juventus academy and in 1962 was loaned to his hometown team Cesena.
The Romagnoli were in Serie C. Fioravanti stayed two seasons but only played one league game. The Bianconeri finished 10th and 9th and the managers were Leo Zavatti and Renato Lucchi the second year.
In 1964 he returned to Juventus. He stayed another four seasons but again played little, only two league games. The main keeper was Roberto Anzolin who rarely missed a game (230 in the end). In this period the Zebras won a Scudetto (1967) and a Coppa Italia (1965). The manager over the whole period was, Paraguayan, Heriberto Herrera. In his last year, when he played his two games, his teammates included future Lazio Guido Onor (1968-69) and Gigi Simoni (manager 1985-1986).
In 1968 Fioravanti joined Lazio on loan. The Biancocelesti were in Serie B and the manager was Bob Lovati but with Juan Carlos Lorenzo really in charge as Technical Director. Lazio won the league and promotion. The first choice keeper was Rosario Di Vincenzo but Fioravanti managed to make 9 league appearances and 2 in Coppa Italia due to a Di Vincenzo injury.
The following season, however, he returned to the Bianconeri in Turin. Anzolin was still going strong and the second choice was Roberto Tancredi so Fioravanti got no playing time. The managers were first Luís Carniglia (1-6) and then Ercole Rabitti (7-30) and Juventus finished 3rd.
In 1970 he finally left Juventus and joined Piacenza in Serie C. He stayed two seasons with a 15th and 14th place. He played regularly making 69 league appearances. The Poppies' managers were Bruno Arcari (1-26) and Angelo Franzosi (27-38) the first year and Alberto Molina (1-17) and then a duo Franzosi-Giancarlo Cella (18-38) in the second.
In 1973 he was loaned to Pescara for a season. The Dolphins were in Serie C but won the league and promotion under Domenico Rosati. The main keeper was Paolo Cimpiel, so Fioravanti was a reserve. His teammates included Lazio connections Vincenzo Zucchini (1979-80) and Totò Lopez (1975-80).
In 1974 Fioravanti joined Asti in Serie D. He played 34 league games and the "Galletti" (Cockerels) finished 11th.
He then played one more season with Riccione in Serie C. He played 10 league games and the Biancazzurri finished 17th.
At 30 he then retired.
Fioravanti will not be remembered as one of the great Italian goalkeepers. He never really played much at top level but had the satisfaction of getting two league games for Juventus. He is the winner of a Scudetto (1967) and a Coppa Italia (1965).
At Lazio he only stayed one season but it was a positive one for the club, winning the Serie B championship and promotion. Fioravanti gave his contribution with 9 league games.
Lazio Career
Season | Total Appearances | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1968-69 | 11 | 9 | 2 |
Sources
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