The celebrations continue
Lazio draw in party atmosphere
The season so far
Lazio went close to the scudetto the year before but this year had triumphed.
The charismatic manager Tommaso Maestrelli was still on the bench. There had been no major changes to the squad. Lazio had received plenty of offers for their best players; Luciano Re Cecconi (Torino), Franco Nanni (Fiorentina and Juventus) and Giorgio Chinaglia (Milan, Juventus, Napoli and Inter). The president Umberto Lenzini, however, managed to resist and keep them all.
There had only been some lesser deals: in Fausto Inselvini (Brescia) and defender Sergio Borgo (Pro Patria), out Giacomo La Rosa (Palermo), Andrea Chini (Cavese), Giambattista Moschino (retired).
So basically, Lazio were giving the title another go with the same squad. The idea was that they had gone so close the previous season that this year with a little more experience they stood a realistic chance.
The pitch proved them right. Lazio had won 18 (including Juventus 3-1, Milan 1-0 and Napoli 1-0, at home), drawn 6 and lost 4. They had beaten Roma 2-1 twice and only lost to Juventus, Torino, Sampdoria and Inter. A week earlier, on May 12, by beating Foggia at the Olimpico with a Giorgio Chinaglia penalty, Lazio had become Italian Champions for the first time.
Maestrelli's crazy gang had done it. The team was divided in clans during the week but was masterfully brought together by the "Maestro" on match days. They played an entertaining brand of football based on the new Dutch philosophy and thoroughly deserved the title. Like Bologna, Fiorentina and Cagliari before them they had broken the monopoly of the big three (Juve, Milan and Inter). Top scorer was charismatic "Long John" Chinaglia with 34 goals in total (23 in Serie A).
Lazio had started their Coppa Italia campaign in August in the first group phase. The Biancocelesti had won 2 (Varese 2-0 and Novara 6-0, both at home), drawn 1 (the derby 0-0) and lost 1 (Brescia 0-2 away).
In the second group phase Lazio were with; Juventus, Cesena and Palermo, all to be played home and away. Lazio lost 1-2 to Cesena away, drew 0-0 at home to Juventus, beat Palermo 1-0, drew 1-1 with Cesena at home and then lost 0-3 away to Juventus. There was the impression Lazio had clearly prioritised the league.
Lazio went out of the UEFA Cup in a tie that would have serious repercussions. In the November away leg against Ipswich Town, in the round of 32, Lazio had lost 0-4 in England. In the return match Lazio had gone 2-0 up in the first 25 minutes and were dominating. They had not taken into account a tipsy Dutch referee, a certain Van der Kroft, who ruined the game with some farcical decisions. Lazio ended up 4-2 winners but tempers ran high both on and off the field. There was crowd trouble and brawls between players during but especially after the game. Lazio could expect heavy punishment by the UEFA authorities.
Today in Bologna however it was still celebration time as 15,000 Lazio fans went up to Emilia to enjoy the last game of the season and first as champions.
Bologna had finished 7th the previous season, under manager Bruno Pesaola. Top scorer was Beppe Savoldi with 23 goals (17 in A).
This season Pesaola was still the manager. There had been a few changes to the squad. Arriving were; defenders Franco Battisodo (Cesena-end of loan), Angelo Rimbano (Napoli), midfielders Carlo Sartori (Manchester United), Adelmo Paris (Verbania), Lionello Massimelli (Varese) and Eraldo Pecci had come up from the youth team.
Leaving were defenders Adriano Fedele (Inter), Aldo Maldera (Milan-end of loan), midfielders Francesco Scorsa (Foggia) and Francesco Liguori (Foggia).
In Serie A Bologna were joint 8th with Cagliari after 6 wins (including Milan and Inter at home), 17 draws (including Juventus, Inter and Milan away) and 7 defeats (including Lazio 0-4) and had 28 points. Top scorer was Beppe Savoldi with 11 league goals.
In Coppa Italia, the Felsinei had reached the final which would be played in four days time against Palermo at the Stadio Olimpico. In the two group stages leading to the final Bologna had won 6 (including Inter and Milan again at home), drawn 2 and lost 2.
The match: Sunday, May 19, 1974, Stadio Comunale, Bologna
A hot day and a 40,000 capacity crowd in Bologna. Almost half were Lazio fans but the locals too were in a good mood ahead of their upcoming cup final appointment.
Before the game the Lazio players, manager and president were presented with flowers and gold medals, to congratulate them for their epic achievement.
Lazio were without injured Gigi Martini and suspended Renzo Garlaschelli but otherwise put out their best team. Bologna too fielded a strong line-up with just defender Angelo Rimbano and midfielder Lionello Massimelli missing while forward Pietro Ghetti was on the bench.
Lazio scored after 30 seconds with Franco Nanni but it was disallowed as Giorgio Chinaglia was judged to be in offside despite not being involved in the action.
The goal came anyway a few minutes later. In 7th minute Sergio Petrelli combined well with Paolo Franzoni and then beat Sergio Buso. Bologna 0 Lazio 1.
The game was open and enjoyable and in the 19th minute Bologna equalised. Beppe Savoldi beat Giancarlo Oddi and then from the right side of the area, with Felice Pulici coming off his line, curled a left footed shot in on the far post Bologna 1 Lazio 1.
There followed a period of equilibrium but just before halftime Bologna went in front. The ball bounced up for Eraldo Pecci at the edge of the box and the young midfielder hit it first time on the volley and his left footed lob beat Pulici. Bologna 2 Lazio 1. Halftime and the hosts in front.
For the second half Bologna replaced Massimo Bulgarelli with Ghetti while Lazio were unchanged.
Lazio immediately looked for an equaliser and especially to get Chinaglia to score to help him become top Serie A scorer, as he was battling with Roberto Boninsegna of Inter. They managed both within minutes. Nanni won a challenge, Franzoni backheeled to Luciano Re Cecconi who played it across to "Long John", left footed strike on the near post and Bologna 2 Lazio 2.
Lazio then could have won it but first Nanni's great run and left footed effort hit the near post and crossed the whole goal line and then a little later on he hit the crossbar with one of his cracking long range efforts.
Bologna too had chance with a Savoldi header but Pulici did well and saved into corner.
In the 86th minute Franco Tripodi was given the satisfaction of his league debut as he came on for Vincenzo D'Amico.
Both sides were pleased with the draw and were by now more worried about how to avoid the annual end of season pitch invasion by particularly enthusiastic fans.
The invasion came and Chinaglia was even rugby tackled, possibly taking him back to his childhood years in South-Wales, but it all ended amicably and the party atmosphere was respected.
Lazio finished with 43 points, two ahead of Juventus and Chinaglia was top Serie A scorer with 24 goals. A memorable season.
There was a sad note in the evening however as a Lazio fans' bus crashed on the way back to Rome and legendary former player Alfredo Monza (1935-1943 and manager in 1958 for 14 games), another fan and the driver tragically lost their lives.
The many tragedies connected to the 1974 team had begun.
Who played for Bologna
Buso, Roversi, Caporale, Battisodo, Cresci, Gregori, Pecci, Vieri, Savoldi, Bulgarelli (46' Ghetti), Landini
Substitutes: Adani, Mei
Manager: Pesaola
Who played for Lazio
Pulici, Petrelli, Polentes, Wilson, Oddi, Nanni, Franzoni, Re Cecconi, Chinaglia, Frustalupi, D'Amico (86' Tripodi)
Manager: Maestrelli
Referee: Toselli
Goals: 7' Petrelli, 19' Savoldi, 48' Pecci, 48' Chinaglia
What happened next
Lazio unfortunately would never get to take part in the European Cup the next season. After the trouble on the pitch and off it, in the UEFA Cup return match against Ipswich Town, Lazio were banned from all European competitions for three years, then reduced to one.
The scudetto celebrations however went on in Rome and the region for months and were enough to help forget the European disappointment. SS. Lazio were Champions of Italy!
Bologna finished joint 9th with Roma. A few days later however the Rossoblù won the Coppa Italia, defeating surprise finalists Palermo on penalties, after a 1-1 draw (Bologna had equalised with a 90th minute penalty). The last Rosanero player who missed was future Lazio legend Giuseppe Favalli's uncle, Erminio Favalli.
With Lazio champions, the verdicts at the other end were Foggia, Genoa and Verona (for charges of corruption) slumping down to Serie B.
Lazio 1973-74
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 30 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 45 |
Coppa Italia | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
UEFA Cup | 4 | 2 | - | 2 | 8 |
Total | 44 | 23 | 10 | 11 | 63 |
Top five appearances (Complete Player Statistics)
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
42 | 30 | 8 | 4 | |
42 | 30 | 8 | 4 | |
42 | 30 | 8 | 4 | |
42 | 30 | 8 | 4 | |
40 | 30 | 6 | 4 |
Top five goalscorers (Complete Player Statistics)
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
Giorgio Chinaglia | 34 | 24 | 4 | 6 |
14 | 10 | 2 | 2 | |
Franco Nanni | 2 | 2 | - | - |
2 | 2 | - | - | |
2 | 2 | - | - |
Let's talk about Franco Tripodi
Franco Tripodi was born in Rome on May 12, 1953.
He came through the Lazio youth sector and in 1972-73 was loaned to Sulmona for a season. The Abruzzesi were in Serie D and Tripodi played 15 league games. The Biancorossi finished 9th.
In 1973-74 he was back at Lazio. The manager was Tommaso Maestrelli and the Biancocelesti won their first historic Scudetto. Tripodi played one league game and 2 in Coppa Italia. In the same season he played for the U23's who also won the national league title.
In October 1974 he was sold to Reggina in Serie C. The Granata finished 6th under Carlo Regalia (future Lazio sporting director 1986-92). Tripodi played 27 league games and scored 2 goals.
In 1975-76 he spent a season with Pescara in Serie B. The manager was Domenico Rosati and the Delfini" (Dolphins) finished 9th. Tripodi played 6 league games. One of his teammates was future Lazio Vincenzo Zucchini (1979-80).
In 1976 Tripodi moved down the Adriatic coast to Brindisi in Serie C. He stayed two seasons and the Messapici finished 10th and 20th (relegated). He played 52 league games and scored 6 goals. His teammates included Lazio connections Giacomo La Rosa (1972-73), Renato Miele (1977, 1982-85) and Umberto Catarci (1972-73).
In 1978-79 he spent a season with Latina in C1. The Pontini were relegated under manager Lamberto Leonardi. Tripodi played 23 league games. One of his teammates was a young local lad, Andrea Carnevale who would later play for Napoli and Roma plus win 10 caps for Italy.
In 1979-80 Tripodi played for Avezzano in C2. The Marsicani finished 5th under manager Armando Rosati. Tripodi played 19 league games.
The rest of his career was spent at amateur level with La Rustica (Rome -1980-82) and Ostia Mare (Rome-1982-84).
At 31 he retired
Tripodi was a midfielder. He did not have a memorable career but he won a Scudetto with Lazio. He played 3 games in the epic 1973-74 season, one in the league and 2 in Coppa Italia. In Serie A he played the last four minutes of the last game away to Bologna so can justly say he was Italian Champion.
Lazio Career
Season | Total Appearances | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
1973-74 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Sources
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