A Ruben work of art
A Sosa curling freekick gave Lazio the away win and sent Pisa down
Also on this day: May 5, 2002, Lazio Inter 4-2. A suicidal Inter hand Lazio victory and UEFA qualification. Player of the day: Simone Inzaghi
The season so far
The previous season Lazio had finished 9th, just three points off a UEFA Cup qualification.
This year manager Giuseppe Materazzi had been replaced by living legend Dino Zoff, who had perhaps a little unfairly been released by Juventus.
The summer market had brought a few novelties to the squad. In defence Lazio welcomed Roberto Bacci (Mantova) while in midfield Sergio Domini had been added (Cesena). It was in attack however that the main changes occurred: Armando Madonna was signed (Atalanta) and more excitingly, German striker Karl- Heinz Riedle was to wear the Lazio jersey (Werder Bremen). In the autumn session Lazio had also added defender Claudio Vertova (Atalanta).
The main sacrifice, for economic reasons, was local lad and derby hero Paolo Di Canio (Juventus). Forward Amarildo (Cesena) and three defenders, Paolo Beruatto (Mantova), Marco Monti (Atalanta) and Massimo Piscedda (Avellino), had left. In the Autumn midfielder Andrea Icardi had also gone (Verona).
So far, Lazio had something called "pareggite" (an addiction to draws). They had shared the points 18 times (including both derbies 1-1), won 6 and lost 6, giving them 30 points. Lazio were currently in joint 9th position with Roma but only 3 points off Parma in the last European qualification position (6th place).
Pisa were newly promoted. They had finished 2nd in Serie B the previous season, under manager Luca Giannini. Top scorer was Lamberto Piovanelli with 19 goals (18 in B).
This season Giannini had been confirmed. The owner Romeo Anconetani had made some interesting signings: defender José Antonio Chamot (Rosario Central), midfielders Henrik Larsen (Lyngby and future European champion with Denmark), Diego Pablo Simeone (Velez Sarsfield) and striker Michele Padovano (Cosenza).
The main players leaving were defender Antonio Cavallo (Udinese), midfielders Stefano Cuoghi (Parma) and Mario Been (Roda JC) plus forward Giuseppe Incocciati (Napoli).
Pisa were in serious trouble. After winning the first two games of the season they had struggled and were bottom of the table. The Pisani had won 7 (including Roma 2-0 away), drawn 5 (including Lazio 0-0) and lost 18. The Nerazzurri had 19 points, 5 from safety Cagliari on 24. If they lost this game they could already go down (Cagliari played Genoa at home).
Lazio were favourites today but Pisa were desperate to cling on to Serie A so should not be underestimated.
The match: Sunday, May 5, 1991, Stadio Arena Garibaldi, Pisa
About 15,000 turned at the small ground not far from the leaning tower.
Pisa were missing forward Lamberto Piovanelli while Lazio had no major absences.
Pisa started stronger realising this could be their last chance to give themselves some hope. In the 3rd minute Michele Padovano shot just over the bar, in the 6th Davide Lucarelli did the same and in the 7th Valerio Fiori saved well from a close range Padovano effort. In the 24th minute Padovano went off injured and was replaced by midfielder Stefano Marini.
After this initial onslaught the Biancocelesti managed to limit Pisa but offered nothing themselves up front. Half time Pisa 0 Lazio 0. An extra cautious Lazio so far.
Fortunately, they came out with a different spirit in the second half. They started to attack more but also risked conceding on the break as in the 47th minute when Fiori was reactive on a close range shot by Maurizio Neri.
Lazio however, were in the ascendancy and now pushed forward constantly. In the 60th minute the visitors replaced midfielder Sergio Domini with another midfielder, Pedro Troglio. In the 64th minute they had a massive chance. Rubén Sosa looked certain to score but Simoni managed to save on the line with his feet and on the rebound the Uruguayan striker hit the crossbar.
The goal came in the 70th minute. Lazio had a free kick just outside the box about 20 metres out. Sosa hit it over the wall and into the left-hand corner. Pisa 0 Lazio 1.
Pisa tried to hit back but despite some pressure never really threatened. It was Lazio who went closer to doubling their lead. Karl-Heinz Riedle missed a chance in the 86th minute, pulling the ball wide, and then in the 88th minute Sosa hit his second crossbar of the afternoon. Full time Pisa 0 Lazio 1.
After a mediocre first half Lazio had come out with a better attitude and deserved the win.
Lazio were still 9th with Roma but now only two points behind Parma and Juventus in 6th place.
Pisa were officially relegated as Cagliari had got a point against Genoa.
Who played for Pisa
Simoni, Chamot, Lucarelli, Larsen, Calori, Bosco, Neri, Simeone, Padovano (24' Marini), Dolcetti (75' Boccafresca), Fiorentini
Substitutes: Lazzarini, Dianda, Argentesi
Manager: Giannini
Who played for Lazio
Fiori, Bergodi, Sergio, Pin, Gregucci, Bacci, Madonna, Sclosa (72' Marchegiani), Riedle, Domini (60' Troglio), Sosa
Manager: Zoff
Referee: Lanese
Goals: 70' Sosa
What happened next
Lazio never had to look for their passports as they only earned three points in the last three matches (a win against Fiorentina, defeat to Inter and a draw with Sampdoria) and finished 11th, although only three points off 6th place (Parma in last UEFA slot).
An attraction to draws was their limit as they totalled 19, with only 8 victories and 7 defeats, giving them 35 points. Top scorer was Rubén Sosa with 12 goals (11 in A).
Lazio were competitive again but would have to become better at closing out matches if they wanted to get back into Europe.
Pisa finished the season with dignity. In the last three games they won 1 (Bari 1-0 at home) and lost 2 (Juventus 2-4 away and Roma 0-1 at home). Top scorer was Michele Padovano with 11 league goals.
Three of their players would one day play for Lazio: Simeone, Chamot and Neri while Pisa defender Alessandro Calori would make Lazio history despite never playing for them. Pisa themselves have not been back in Serie A since.
The Scudetto was won by Sampdoria for their first historic league title. One of the few clubs in the modern era to break the monopoly of the big three. Pisa went down with Lecce, Cesena and Bologna.
Lazio 1990-91
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 34 | 8 | 19 | 7 | 33 |
Coppa Italia | 2 | - | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Total | 36 | 8 | 20 | 8 | 34 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Fiori | 36 | 34 | 2 |
Sergio | 36 | 34 | 2 |
Riedle | 35 | 33 | 2 |
Ruben Sosa | 35 | 33 | 2 |
Bergodi | 34 | 33 | 1 |
Pin | 34 | 32 | 2 |
Top five goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Ruben Sosa | 12 | 11 | 1 |
Riedle | 9 | 9 | - |
Pin | 2 | 2 | - |
Gregucci | 2 | 2 | - |
Madonna | 2 | 2 | - |
F. Marchegiani | 2 | 2 | - |
Let's talk about Sergio Domini
Sergio Domini was born in Udine on March 11, 1961.
His first professional team was SPAL when he joined their youth setup.
In 1978 he was sent on loan to amateurs Argentana (Ferrara) to gain some experience.
In 1979 he returned to SPAL but played mainly for the Primavera and in two seasons only made 3 first team appearances for SPAL in Serie B. The manager was Mario Caciagli the first season and Battista Rota the second. One of his teammates was future Lazio, Renato Miele (1982-85).
In 1981 he was sold to Rondinella (Florence) in C2. He stayed three seasons and the Biancorossi finished 1st and promoted to C1, 14th and 7th. Domini played 96 league games and scored 4 goals.
In 1984 Domini joined Modena in Serie C1. He stayed two seasons finishing 8th and 2nd, promoted. The manager both years was Luigi Mascalaito and Domini played 62 league games with 6 goals.
In 1986-87 he spent a season with Genoa in Serie B. The Grifone finished 6th under manager Attilio Perotti. Domini played 34 league games with 2 goals (Campobasso, Lecce). His teammates included Lazio connection Claudio Ambu (1982-83).
In 1987-88 he played for Roma in Serie A. The manager was Nils Liedholm and the Giallorossi finished 3rd. Domini played 20 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia. Two of his teammates had past and future Lazio connections, Lionello Manfredonia (1971-85) and Angelo Peruzzi (2000-07).
In 1988 Domini joined Cesena in Serie A and stayed two seasons. The Bianconeri finished 10th and 12th, under Alberto Bigon and then Marcello Lippi. He played 63 league games with 4 goals (Bologna, Juventus, Juventus again, Bari) and 9 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Messina). Two of his teammates were former Lazio, Fabio Calcaterra (1985-86) and Vincenzo Esposito (1986-88).
In 1990-91 he came back to Rome but joined Lazio in Serie A. The manager was Dino Zoff and the Biancocelesti finished 11th. Domini played 21 league games and 1 game in Coppa Italia.
In 1991 he joined Brescia in Serie B and stayed three seasons. The Leonessa finished 1st (promoted), 15th (relegated) and 3rd (promoted again). The manager was Adelio Moro with Mircea Lucescu as technical director. Domini played 85 league games with 7 goals (Lucchese, Venezia, Pescara, Brescia, Monza, Palermo, Vicenza) and 4 games in Coppa Italia. In 1994 Brescia won the Anglo-Italian Cup beating Notts County 1-0 at Wembley. In his Brescia years he played alongside Lazio connections: Luca Luzardi (1992-94), Giampaolo Saurini (1988-89, 1990-91, 1993), Luca Brunetti (1986-88) and Maurizio Neri (1991-93).
In 1994-95 Domini played a season with Lucchese in Serie B. The "Pantere" finished 16th, first under Lazio hero Eugenio Fascetti (1-19) and then Giampaolo Piaceri (20-38). He played 32 league games and again alongside Luca Brunetti plus future Roma player and manager Eusebio Di Francesco.
Domini then spent one last season with Baracco Lugo in Serie C2. The Bianconeri finished 16th and he played 30 league games with 1 goal.
Then at 35 he retired.
Domini was a midfielder, a number 10. He played 130 games in Serie A with 5 goals. He won a promotion to C1 with Rondinella, to Serie B with Modena and two to Serie A with Brescia.
At Lazio he only stayed one season and was not a great success. He was diligent but a bit light weight. He played 22 games but with no really memorable performances.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
1990-91 | 22 | 21 | 1 |
Sources
Comments