Giordano brace and Michelino clinch crucial relegation clash
The local striker and the Dane got the goals but it was really Vincenzino D'Amico who orchestrated the win
Also on this day: November 27, 2012, Lazio Udinese 3-0. Biancocelesti strolled to a 3-0 midweek win against Udinese despite an early missed penalty. Lazio Hero of the day: Stefano Mauri
The season so far
Lazio were finally back in Serie A after three difficult years in the second division, the "purgatory "of Serie B.
The legendary Giorgio Chinaglia was back as President with promises of massive American partners investing in Lazio's bright future.
The summer market had seen major changes to the squad. The main arrivals were: defenders Daniele Filisetti (Atalanta), Massimo Piscedda (back from loan-Sanremese), midfielders Joāo Batista (Palmeiras and Brazilian national), Angelo Cupini (Cavese), Rinaldo Piraccini (Pistoiese), Claudio Vinazzani (Napoli) plus forward Michael Laudrup (loan for 2 years- Juventus).
So, apart from a young Laudrup and the experience of Batista, not much to get excited about, but at this point the Laziali had blind faith in Long John Chinaglia. Giancarlo Morrone, who had substituted Roberto Clagluna towards the end of the previous season, had been confirmed.
Leaving Lazio were several Serie B faithful: keeper Maurizio Moscatelli (Cavese- he never really recovered from his serious injury), defenders Ernesto Calisti (loan-Cavese), Carlo Perrone and Paolo Pochesci (both to Ascoli), Marco Saltarelli (Monza), midfielders Roberto Badiani (Vigor Senigallia), Michele De Nadai (Pistoiese), Maurizio Montesi (retired), Roberto Tavola (end of loan-Juventus), forwards Claudio Ambu (Monza), Stefano Chiodi (Prato) and Leonardo Surro (Siena).
No great losses for various reasons: injuries (Moscatelli and Montesi), age (Badiani), unfulfilled potential (Pochesci, Perrone and Saltarelli) or lack of Serie A quality (Chiodi, Tavola and Surro). The one player Lazio fans were extremely sad to see leave was Enrico Vella when he left in the autumn for Atalanta.
Whatever opinion was given to the squad, Lazio came into the season with great enthusiasm and packed out the Olimpico in the early games. The long-awaited return to Serie A and even more so that of a Chinaglia was enough to excite even the most laid-back fans.
So far, the season had, as expected, been difficult. Lazio had lost the first against Verona 2-4 won the second (Inter 3-0) then drawn (Genoa 0-0 away), lost to Juventus 0-1 (but playing well), drawn (Sampdoria 1-1 away), then lost two (the derby 0-2 and Milan 1-4 away), won one (Avellino 2-1 at home) but then lost again (Torino 0-4 away). So, in total won 2, drawn 2 and lost 5, not great and only 6 points in the table. Michael Laudrup however had performed well and had scored three goals.
In Coppa Italia, in August and early September, Lazio had been eliminated in a group with Catanzaro 0-0, Perugia 2-0, Taranto 0-1, Bari 0-0 and Juventus 1-1.
Catania were even worse off. Like Lazio, the Etnei were newly promoted, having won the playoff with Cremonese and Como for the third slot (after Milan and Lazio). The promotion manager Gianni Di Marzio had been confirmed and Catania also had two new Brazilian players, defender Pedrinho and midfielder Luvanor. They had also signed future Lazio midfielder Fortunato Torrisi (Torino) and future Napoli and Roma forward Andrea Carnevale (Cagliari). In the squad were another two former Lazio players, defender Giorgio Mastropasqua and forward Aldo Cantarutti.
So far, the "Elefanti" had struggled and had only won 1 match (Pisa 2-0), drawn 3 (Torino 0-0, Sampdoria 1-1, both at home and Avellino 0-0 away) and lost 5 (Udinese 1-3, Milan 1-2, Fiorentina 0-5 away, Verona 0-1 and Juventus 0-2 at home). The Rossoblu only had 5 points, one less than Lazio, were rock bottom and had not scored in four games.
In the Coppa Italia in August /September the Sicilians were eliminated after 1 win (Cagliari 1-0 at home), 2 draws (Reggiana 1-1 at home and Campobasso 1-1 away) and 2 defeats (Carrarese 0-2 and Verona 0-2 both away).
Today's game was already a fundamental relegation clash.
The match: Sunday, November 27, 1983, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
A grey but mild day saw a 35,000 crowd turn up for this early season but already survival battle.
The first half reflected the importance of the game, tense, dirty and tight. Despite the stop and start affair there were some chances for both sides.
Catania had an early effort and then again threatened in the 18th minute but Massimo Cacciatori was alert. The Catania keeper Roberto Sorrentino was busier, producing a series of excellent saves from Michael Laudrup and then on a close-range header by Lionello Manfredonia. Lazio on top but all in all a scrappy, physical game. Half time Lazio 0 Catania 0.
There were no changes for the second half. Catania stuck to their game plan, defence and hoping for the occasional break for Cantarutti and Carnevale, neither of whom however were classic counter foot attackers.
The deadlock was broken in the 49th minute. Vincenzo D'Amico, up to then the liveliest player, jiggled past a few Catanesi in midfield and put in a perfect, cutting pass through the backline, Bruno Giordano ran onto it but was pulled down just as he entered the area. Penalty, the Trasteverino striker had probably exaggerated the contact but there had definitely been a pull of the shirt. Giordano took it and despite slipping the ball somehow trickled into the net. Lazio 1 Catania 0.
This was now the ideal situation for the Biancocelesti as the Sicilians gradually lost heart and were forced to open up tactically. Lazio looked as if they could score again soon, with Sorrentino twice denying Laudrup and did so in the 72nd minute.
It was all down to the "Danesino" Laudrup who dispossessed a defender about 40 metres out, raced towards the area on the left and wonderfully chipped the keeper with a left footed lob, pure class. Lazio 2 Catania 0.
The visitors had one chance to reopen the game but Arcadio Spinozzi cleared the line. Then in the 86th minute, Catania and former Roma defender, Giacomo Chinellato was sent off for dissent.
The Etnei despite their origins had no fire left and Lazio comfortably controlled the game and then made it three. A freekick from the edge of the box was smashed in with a fantastic strike by Giordano. Lazio 3 Catania 0.
For now, Lazio had been given some oxygen but judging from today's game it would be a long and difficult season for both sides. Luckily for Lazio they had a few players of superior quality such as Giordano, Laudrup and D'Amico (Man of Match today) who could possibly keep them in the top-flight football.
Who played for Lazio
Cacciatori, Podavini, Filisetti, Manfredonia, Batista, Spinozzi, D'Amico, Vinazzani, Giordano, Laudrup, Piraccini (86' Piscedda)
Substitutes: Orsi, Della Martira, Moccia, Meluso
Manager: Morrone
Who played for Catania
Sorrentino, Ranieri, Mosti, Giovanelli, Chinellato, Mastropasqua, Morra II (76' Bilardi), Mastalli, Cantarutti, Luvanor (62' Crialesi), A.Carnevale
Substitutes: M. Onorati, Sabadini, Ciampoli
Manager: Di Marzio
Referee: Ballerini
Goals: 49' Giordano (pen), 72' Laudrup, 85' Giordano
What happened next
A week later Lazio lost 1-2 at home to Fiorentina and then 0-3 away to Napoli. Chinaglia sacked Morrone and called another former player Paolo Carosi to rescue the Biancocelesti. The first game under the new manager was a 2-2 at home to Udinese with Chinaglia trying to attack the referee, after a scandalous performance by the man in black, Menicucci.
Then, to make things worse, on December 31 Giordano broke his leg at Ascoli and was out for four months. The Biancocelesti lost several more games but wins against Genoa, Sampdoria, Torino, Napoli and Ascoli plus a heroic draw to Roma, despite being in ten men, took them into the last match at Pisa needing a point.
In the meantime, star striker Giordano had returned from injury. On April 15, away to Fiorentina, Bruno-Gol had finally come back and 10,000 Lazio fans travelled up to Florence to witness the event, he even scored but Lazio lost 2-3.
So, it was all down to the final game under the leaning tower of Pisa. Catania and Pisa were already down while Genoa on 23 and Lazio on 24 still had hope. Only one of them would stay up. Genoa had Juventus at home but the Bianconeri had already won and celebrated the league title.
A mass exodus of Lazio fans accompanied the team to Tuscany. The Arena Garibaldi was almost entirely light blue and white.
Things seemed to be looking up when the radios announced Juventus had taken the lead with Antonio Cabrini at Marassi after 7 minutes. Only three minutes later however, Genoa equalised with a Beniamino Vignola own goal. Back to square one until, only a minute later, Bruno-Gol scored for Lazio, with a header from a D'Amico free kick. Half time Pisa 0 Lazio 1 and Genoa 1 Juventus 1; Lazio 26 points, Genoa 24. Things were looking good.
At the beginning of the second half however Pisa equalised with a controversial goal by Danish Klaus Bergreen who seemed to score with his arm. So, 1-1, but Lazio were still safe.
Pisa pushed forward looking to go down with dignity and a win. Luca Birigozzi in the 52nd minute shot over the bar from a favourable position and five minutes later he had the mother of all chances. He found himself with an open goal with only Lazio's Batista on the goal line but somehow managed to get his shot cleared by the Brazilian. One of those chances that are easier to score than miss.
Having seen hell's door opening Lazio turned up the pressure and were rewarded in the 67th minute. Manfredonia was fouled in the area for a clear penalty. Giordano's low spot kick was not impeccable but went under keeper Alessandro Mannini for the 2-1.
Lazio then got a third, but Laudrup had his goal ruled out for offside. Still, going into the last two or three minutes, the situation seemed under control, Lazio were winning and Genoa drawing.
Then in the 89th minute Stefano Bosetti scored for Genoa against the Italian Champions, Juventus. No panic, Lazio were still a point ahead. Then in the 90th minute Pisa equalised with Ferruccio Mariani. Lazio 25 points Genoa 25 points.
A very tense few minutes of injury time saw Lazio hold on for their sacred point. Lazio were safe. The decider would not be goal difference (as in UK for example) but the direct matches in the league (0-0 and 2-1 to Lazio). The win over Genoa in January turned out to be a lifesaver for Lazio.
The fans were ecstatic and Chinaglia went down to the pitch to celebrate with the fans.
On the way home on the motorway, Long John bombed past us in his Jaguar, with Felice Pulici, waving and tooting his car horn at our supporters' bus. All was good.
Lazio stayed in Serie A after 8 wins, 9 draws and 13 defeats. The top scorers were Laudrup and Giordano with 8 league goals.
All may have been good but dark clouds were already looming in Lazio's future, but that's another story.
Catania were not so lucky and were relegated. The Rossoblu changed managers in December, from Di Marzio to Giovan Battista Fabbri but things did not improve. The Catanesi finished bottom in 16th place after only 1 win, 10 draws (including Lazio 1-1) and 19 defeats. Top scorer was Cantarutti with 5 goals (4 in A), Catania only scored 14 league goals all season.
The Scudetto was won by Juventus for the 21st time while, as already mentioned Genoa, Pisa and Catania went down to Serie B.
Lazio 1983-84
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 35 |
Coppa Italia | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Total | 35 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 38 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Laudrup | 35 | 30 | 5 |
Vinazzani | 33 | 28 | 5 |
Spinozzi | 32 | 27 | 5 |
Manfredonia | 31 | 26 | 5 |
Batista | 30 | 25 | 5 |
D'Amico | 30 | 25 | 5 |
Top five goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Laudrup | 8 | 8 | - |
D'Amico | 8 | 7 | 1 |
Giordano | 8 | 8 | - |
Manfredonia | 4 | 4 | - |
Cupini | 3 | 3 | - |
Let’s talk about Daniele Filisetti
Daniele Filisetti was born in Nembro (Bergamo), on September 2, 1959.
His football started in the youth sector of local team Atalanta. In 1977 he was added to the first team squad but he made his debut in 1979. The "Dea" (The Goddess) had just been relegated to Serie B and the manager was Tito Rota. Filisetti played 27 league games with 1 goal (Pistoiese) and 2 games in Coppa Italia. The Nerazzurri finished 9th. One of his teammates was future Lazio, Massimo Storgato.
In 1980-81 things got worse for Atalanta as they were relegated to C1, under first Bruno Bolchi and then former Lazio, Giulio Corsini. Filisetti played 38 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia.
In 1981-82 Atalanta bounced back winning their C1 group and promotion. The manager was Ottavio Bianchi and Filisetti played 34 league games and 5 in the C Coppa Italia. He played alongside future Lazio Giorgio Magnocavallo and Armando Madonna plus a young Roberto Donadoni.
Back in Serie B in 1982-83 Atalanta finished 8th under Bianchi. Filisetti played 35 league games with 1 goal (Cavese) and 5 games in Coppa Italia. The squad included former Lazio, Andrea Agostinelli.
In 1983-84 Filisetti signed for Lazio, back in Serie A after three years in B. The President was cult hero Giorgio Chinaglia and the manager was former player Juan Carlos Morrone. It was a difficult season for the Biancocelesti who narrowly escaped relegation, drawing at Pisa in the last game of the season. Morrone was replaced by Paolo Carosi in December and Lazio finished 13th (out of 16). Filisetti played 22 league games.
The following season was a disastrous one with Lazio ending up relegated. Carosi started but was soon replaced by former manager Juan Carlos Lorenzo, who was far past his prime. In Arcadio Spinozzi’s book, in collaboration with journalist Stefano Greco, he lists a number of Lorenzo’s “exploits”. Filisetti was forced to lose 5 kilos in a week because the manager wanted him to be of the same weight as Trevor Francis who he had to mark in the next game against Atalanta. He fainted after the end of the first half. In March the duo Bob Lovati-Giancarlo Oddi took over but it was too late. Lazio finished 15th. Filisetti played 25 league games and 5 in Coppa Italia.
In 1985-86 Gigi Simoni arrived as manager and Lazio started reasonably well but there were too many problems at the club, including Chinaglia going back to the States and Lazio faded. At one point they even risked a double drop but ultimately finished 11th. Filisetti played 14 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia.
The 1986-87 season, under Eugenio Fascetti, was hoped to be the promotion year but any aspirations were immediately shattered when Lazio were given a nine-point docking (initially it had been relegation) for one of their player's (Claudio Vinazzani) alleged involvement in the Totonero- bis (match fixing/betting scandal). Lazio then had a long but epic season. They first gained the right to a three-team playoff by beating Vicenza with a dramatic 83rd minute Giuliano Fiorini goal and then, after losing the first against Taranto, managed to beat Campobasso with a Fabio Poli goal. Lazio not only survived in Serie B but possibly as a club too. Filisetti played 11 league games and 1 in Coppa Italia.
In 1987 Filisetti left Rome and joined Venezia-Mestre in C2. The "Leoni Alati" (The Winged Lions) were promoted to C1. The manager was former Lazio, Ferruccio Mazzola.
The following year, under Aldo Cerantola and then Giovan Battista Fabbri, the Arancioneroverdi finished 9th in C1.
In 1989-90 the club went back to being called just Venezia. They finished 4th in C1, under Antonio Pasinato and then Giuseppe Sabadini. This was Filisetti’s last season on the lagoon where he played 95 league games.
The 1990-91 he returned close to home and joined Alzano Virescit, from Alzano Lombardo and Seriate, near Bergamo. The Seriani were in Promozione (6th tier). The following year they played in Eccellenza (5th tier) and finished 6th and then 3rd the year after. Filisetti stayed three seasons, playing 77 league games.
He then retired, approaching the age of 34.
After retiring he has been involved with Alzano Virescit in both marketing and coaching roles. His real profession however is as a dentist.
Filisetti was a defender who could play both as full-back and centre-back. He is 1.82 and 75 kilos, so strong physically. He was a classic man-to-man marker and was surprisingly quick for his size. He played 157 games for Atalanta but the peak of his career was with Lazio where he played 47 games in Serie A.
In Rome he started well but gradually faded playing less in the last two of his four years in the capital. I think it is fair to say more was expected of him in his time for Lazio. He was however unlucky in his timing as the club was going through one of the many difficult periods in their history. He will be remembered for the first Chinaglia presidency season, when Lazio miraculously avoided relegation and then for his role in the epic '86-87 season. He is not one of the -9 heroes who immediately comes to mind but he played 11 games so he too gave a contribution.
Lazio Career
Season | Total Appearances | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1983-84 | 22 | 22 | - | - |
1984-85 | 30 | 25 | - | 5 |
1985-86 | 16 | - | 14 | 2 |
1986-87 | 12 | - | 11 | 1 |
Total | 80 | 47 | 25 | 8 |
Sources
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