Game 1, Serie A
Sunday, September 27, 1970
Stadio San Siro, Milan
Milan Lazio 1-1
An excellent display and superb Mazzola goal give Lazio well deserved point
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.
Today was the first game of the new Serie A season and was an always difficult away game to Milan.
Milan were ambitious and had Scudetto hopes. They had some star players in: keeper Fabio Cudicini, defender Karl-Heinz Schnellinger, midfielders Giovanni Trapattoni and Gianni Rivera and forward Pierino Prati.
It is fair to say Milan were favourites this afternoon.
The match
A 60,000 crowd at San Siro but with plenty of away fans too.
The first ten minutes were attack against defence but it soon became clear Milan would not have it easy breaking through. Lazio were extremely tight and concentrated at the back.
After this early dominance by the Rossoneri, Lazio gained courage and confidence. In the 13th minute Giorgio Chinaglia forced Cudicini to palm his powerful shot into corner and more chances followed for Ferruccio Mazzola and Juan Carlos Morrone.
In the 34th minute the effort of marking an active Chinaglia took its toll on Roberto Rosato who was forced off injured, replaced by Luigi Maldera.
Lazio were on top for most of the half but just before the break came the unexpected. In the 40th minute Giuseppe Massa tried to clear the area but inexplicably toed a powerful strike back towards the keeper who, off his line, could only watch the ball go low into the right-hand corner. Milan 1 Lazio 0.
An unfortunate score line for Lazio who had played well and with authority.
Lazio continued to attack in the second half and were denied a blatant penalty when Schnellinger pulled down Gaetano Legnaro. Lazio replaced Morrone with Arrigo Dolso in the 56th minute to liven things up even more but Cudicini was on top form and made several decisive stops.
In the 70th minute came Mazzola's masterpiece. Legnaro won a challenge with Rivera and passed to Nello Governato who served Mazzola, he ran forward, cut inside slightly and let off a fantastic long range left footed strike which flew into the top right-hand corner. A marvellous goal, Milan 1 Lazio 1 and well deserved.
Lazio could even have gone on to win it but the "Ragno Nero" (The Black Spider) Cudicini was man of the match and saved well on Chinaglia late on. Final score Milan 1 Lazio 1.
A solid performance by Lazio. The Biancocelesti were the better team and had earned a precious point but could well have won it. The defence was solid, Legnaro positive on his debut and Chinaglia always dangerous up front.
Who played for Milan
Cudicini, Anquilletti, Zignoli, Rosato (34' L. Maldera), Schnellinger, Biasiolo, Rognoni, Combin, Benetti, Rivera, Prati
Substitutes: Belli
Manager: Rocco
Who played for Lazio
Sulfaro, Facco, Legnaro, Governato, Polentes, Wilson, Massa, Mazzola II, Chinaglia, Fortunato, Morrone (56' Dolso)
Substitutes: Di Vincenzo
Manager: Lorenzo
Referee: Francescon
Goals: 40' Massa (og), 70' Mazzola II
Sources
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