Lazio denied prestigious and consolatory win in dying minutes
Sandro Mazzola equalises late on after Nanni's goal had illuded Lazio of beating league champions
Also on this day: May 23, 1948, Lazio Bologna 2-1. Lazio adapt better to muddy pitch and with goals by Penzo and Remondini sink the Felsinei. Player of the day: Orlando Tognotti
The season so far
The previous year Lazio, under Roberto Lovati and Juan Carlos Lorenzo as Technical Director, had finished 8th in Serie A.
This year Lorenzo was officially manager and Lovati his assistant. There had been no major movements on the transfer market. The main players coming in were midfielders Pierpaolo Manservisi (Napoli) and Arrigo Dolso (Monza-end of loan). Leaving were defenders Carlo Soldo (Monza), Giancarlo Oddi (Massese-on loan), midfielder Bruno Gioia (Parma) and forward Gian Piero Ghio (Napoli).
Lazio were already out of the Coppa Italia despite two wins out of three (Palermo, Catanzaro), unfortunately the defeat was in the derby 0-2. Lazio were also out of the Fairs Cup having lost to Arsenal 2-4 on aggregate.
In Serie A things had not gone well. Lazio had just been relegated again. The Biancocelesti won their first game on December 20 and had only won five all season. They were 15th, on 21 points. Safety was three points away, Fiorentina, Varese and Sampdoria on 24 but this was the last game of the season. A week earlier Lazio had lost 0-1 at home to Vicenza and that had been the nail in the coffin. So far, they had won 5, drawn 11 (including derby 1-1) and lost 13. Top scorer was Giorgio Chinaglia with 9 league goals.
Doom and gloom for Lazio but Tommaso Maestrelli was already on his way from Foggia…
Inter had finished 2nd the previous season, under Heriberto Herrera (not to be confused with Helenio Herrera). Top scorer was Roberto Boninsegna with 25 goals (13 in A).
The summer market did not see any major changes apart from two club legends leaving, Luis Suarez after nine successful years (Sampdoria) and Aristide Guarneri after 333 league games (Cremonese). Arriving were defender Mario Giubertoni (Palermo), midfielder Mario Frustalupi (Sampdoria) plus, for the future, a young keeper, Walter Zenga (Macallesi 1927).
This year Herrera had been replaced, after five matches and only one win, by Giovanni Invernizzi and things had improved drastically and on May 2, after beating Foggia 5-0, the Nerazzurri had become Italian Champions. Inter had won 19 (including Lazio 1-0), drawn 7 and lost 3. Top scorer was Boninsegna with 24 league goals.
In Coppa Italia the Milanese had gone out in the first group stage after 1 win (Como 4-0 away), 1 draw (Monza 1-1 away) and 1 defeat (Atalanta 1-2 at home)
So, completely opposite moods on this last day of the season. Inter euphoric and Lazio subdued.
The match: Sunday, May 23, 1971, Stadio San Siro, Milan
A sell out 80,000 crowd on an overcast day to celebrate Inter's scudetto.
Inter played their best XI while Lazio were without midfielders Nello Governato and Rino Marchesi plus forward Juan Carlos Morrone.
Inter started off strongly on the waves of enthusiasm. Mario Bertini went close but his shot was cleared off the line by Pino Wilson.
Lazio then surprisingly hit back and had two chances of their own. First a Ferruccio Mazzola lob shaved the post and then Giorgio Chinaglia went on one of his runs, powering past half of Inter's defence but Lido Vieri came out and dived low to block the ball.
There was then some controversy as Roberto Boninsegna, possibly frustrated by Lazio's tight defending, blatantly punched Giuseppe Papadopulo in the face but neither referee Trinchieri nor the linesman saw anything.
Lazio were playing well and had dangerous shots by Mazzola, Giuseppe Massa and Giuliano Fortunato saved by Vieri.
In the 24th minute however came Lazio’s deserved lead. Chinaglia hit a low central free kick but Vieri was not able to hold onto it and the quickest on the rebound was Franco Nanni who scored. Inter 0 Lazio 1. A damper on the celebrations.
Lazio then defended well until half time and went to the break unexpectedly in front. Inter 0 Lazio 1.
For the second half Inter gave some of the reserves their moment of glory too. Goalkeeper Vieri was replaced by a young Ivano Bordon and defender Mauro Bellugi came off for future Lazio legend, Mario Frustalupi.
In the second half Inter predictably pushed forward but Lazio were concentrated and dangerous on the counter attack. Gaetano Legnaro wasted two opportunities and Bordon was safe on a Ferruccio Mazzola effort.
In the 57th minute Mario Giubertoni went in hard on Chinaglia and "Long John" was forced on the side-lines for seven minutes.
With Lazio temporarily in ten men, Inter intensified their attacks. Rosario Di Vincenzo saved well from Giacinto Facchetti and then from top Serie A scorer "Bonimba" Boninsegna.
In the 73rd minute the pain became too much even for Chinaglia and he limped off, replaced by Arrigo Dolso.
Dolso could have scored immediately but Guido Magherini was a bit selfish and, after a good run of his own, "did not see" the fresh Lazio replacement in a better position.
With a few minutes to go the crowd started gathering on the side-lines. In this uneasy situation Inter equalised. In the 89th minute, despite a clear foul by Bertini on Magherini in midfield, the referee gestured to play on and the ball reached Frustalupi who tried a shot, the ball ricocheted up in the air on the right where Sandro Mazzola twisted and volleyed in a low shot in on the far post. Inter 1 Lazio 1.
The fans at this point obviously ran onto the pitch unable to quell their enthusiasm. After eight long minutes the authorities finally managed to clear the playing field but the referee only played about a minute before blowing up for full time and allowing the second and definite fan invasion. Final score, Inter 1 Lazio 1.
A pity for Lazio who had played well. Inter had obviously attacked more, as their 16 corners to 1 showed, but Lazio had defended well and had the better chances to score. More regrets for a season that could have been more positive but some optimism for the future as Chinaglia, Wilson and Nanni had confirmed to be quality players and a certain "Maestro" was soon on his way.
Who played for Inter
Vieri (46' Bordon), Bellugi (46' Frustalupi), Facchetti, Bedin, Giubertoni, Burgnich, Jair, Bertini, Boninsegna, Mazzola I, Corso
Manager: Invernizzi
Who played for Lazio
Di Vincenzo (89' Sulfaro), Papadopulo, Legnaro, Nanni, Polentes, Wilson, Massa, Mazzola II, Chinaglia (73' Dolso), Magherini, Fortunato
Manager: Lorenzo
Referee: Trinchieri
Goals: 24' Nanni, 89' Mazzola I
What happened next
Lazio finished 15th, on 22 points. The Biancocelesti went down with bottom placed Catania and Foggia. Little did Lazio fans know however that their history was about to change, for the better. Meanwhile they found some consolation in winning the Alps Cup on June 25, beating Basel 3-1 at St. Jakob Stadium. Top scorer was Giorgio Chinaglia with 21 (9 in A)
Inter were champions ahead of second placed Milan. Boninsegna was top Serie A scorer with 24 goals and a season total of 26.
Lazio 1970-71
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals Scored |
Serie A | 30 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 43 |
Coppa Italia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Fairs Cup | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Cup of the Alps | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
Total | 40 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 56 |
Top Five Appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Fairs Cup | Cup of the Alps |
Chinaglia | 40 | 30 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
Massa | 38 | 29 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Wilson | 36 | 29 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Dolso | 32 | 27 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Governato | 32 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Mazzola II | 32 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Top Five Goal Scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia | Fairs Cup | Cup of the Alps |
Chinaglia | 22 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
Massa | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Dolso | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Mazzola II | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Facco | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Let’s talk about Guido Magherini
Guido Magherini was born in Florence on July 2, 1951.
He started playing in local team Rondinella's youth teams and in 1967 moved to Milan's football academy.
He joined the first team in the 1970 but in November was loaned to Lazio.
Lazio had Juan Carlos Lorenzo as manager and had a difficult season. In the end they were relegated, in 15th place. Magherini played 12 league games. His debut had come when he started in an away game in Catania on November 22.
In 1971-72 he returned to Milan but did not get much playing time. The manager was Nereo Rocco and Magherini played 2 league games and 1 in the UEFA Cup with 1 goal (Digenis Akritas Morphou). Milan finished 2nd in Serie A and won the Coppa Italia. One of his teammates was future Lazio, Alberto Bigon (1980-82).
In 1972-73 he was still at Milan but did not break through to become a regular. He played 2 league games, 5 in Coppa Italia and 3 in the Cup Winners Cup. Milan finished 2nd under manager Cesare Maldini (Rocco was technical director) but won both the Coppa Italia and the Cup Winners Cup (Leeds United 1-0).
In 1973-74 he joined Arezzo in Serie B. The manager Andrea Bassi lasted one game (0-2 to nearby Ternana) and was replaced by Mario Rossi. The Amaranto finished 10th and Magherini played 28 league games with 5 goals.
In 1974-75 he spent a year with Brindisi in Serie B. The Adriatici changed three managers; Antonio Renna (1-7), Giovanni Invernizzi (8-18) and Antonio Renna (18-38) and finished 14th. Magherini played 33 league games with 4 goals. His teammates included Lazio connections, Luigi Boccolini (1977-78), Vincenzo Chiarenza (1981-82, 1983), Mario Tomy (1969-71) and Rosario Di Vincenzo (1967-72).
In 1975-76 Magherini moved to Sicily and joined Palermo in Serie B. The Manager was first Benigno De Grandi and then Antonio De Bellis. Magherini played 34 league games and had a prolific year with 11 league goals. He played alongside Lazio connections, Filippo Citterio (1979-81) and Dario Pighin (1976-82). The Rosanero finished 11th.
In 1976-77 he moved to Ascoli in Serie B. The Piceni alternated two managers: Enzo Riccomini (1-13), Giovanni Mialich (14-21) and then Riccomini again (22-38). The Bianconeri finished 9th and Magherini played 35 league games with 2 goals. His teammates included Lazio connection, Gaetano Legnaro (1970-72).
In 1977 he moved on again, this time to Cagliari in Serie B. The manager was first Lauro Toneatto (1-17) and then Mario Tiddia (18-38). "Casteddu" finished 12th and Magherini played 27 league games with 8 goals.
In 1978 he returned to Palermo in Serie B and stayed two seasons. In the first the manager was Fernando Veneranda and the "Aquile" finished 7th but surprisingly reached the Coppa Italia final (beating Lazio on penalties in the quarters) but then lost 1-2 to Juventus in extra-time in Naples. Magherini played 21 league games with 2 goals and played in the cup final.
The following year Giancarlo Cadè was manager and the Rosanero finished 9th. Magherini played 18 league games with 5 goals. There were two Lazio connections in the squad, Paolo Ammoniaci (1975-79) and Massimo De Stefanis (1975-79) plus future top manager Gian Piero Gasperini. At the end of the season Magherini was accused of being involved in the Calcio scommesse match fixing scandal and suspended for three years.
With the armistice following Italy's World Cup triumph in 1982, he returned to play.
Magherini then spent two last seasons with Rondinella Marzocco, his first club. The Biancorossi were in C1 and finished 14th and 7th. He played 23 league games.
At almost 33 he retired.
In his youth he played 4 games for Italy U21's.
He stayed in football and worked with Rondinella as a director but in 1986 was banned for another five years for the Totonero bis match fixing scandal.
He has since worked as sporting director for Poggibonsi.
Magherini was an attacking midfielder. He could play in various roles and had a decent career in the second and third tiers. He played 16 games in Serie A, and 198 in B with 37 goals. He won silverware in the Milan squad (Coppa Italia 1972 and 1973 and Cup Winners Cup 1973).
At Lazio he only stayed one season and it was an unlucky one ending in relegation. He however played 12 games in Serie A and alongside Lazio legends such as Giorgio Chinaglia, Nello Governato, Mario Facco, Rino Marchesi, Ferruccio Mazzola, Giuseppe Massa, Franco Nanni, Juan Carlos Morrone, Giuliano Fortunato and Pino Wilson to name a few.
Lazio Career
Season | Total Serie A appearances |
1970-71 | 12 |
Sources
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