Rock steady Lazio block Italian champions
A superb team performance and defensive display enable Lazio to leave San Siro with a precious point
Also on this day: October 23 1994: Genoa Lazio 1-2. Lazio stage comeback in last fifteen minutes to conquer the Ferraris. Lazio Legend of the day: Beppe Signori
The season so far
The previous year Lazio had finally won promotion back to Serie A. In a packed Olimpico, already under renovation for Italia '90, Lazio had beaten Taranto 3-1 to book their place back in the big time.
The new season started with a new manager. The -9-point deduction and promotion hero Eugenio Fascetti had left and in had come Giuseppe Materazzi.
The Biancocelesti’s promotion top scorer Paolo Monelli (13 goals) had also gone (Bari) along with midfielders Vincenzo Esposito (Atalanta) and Domenico Caso (Latina) while loaned forward Giuseppe Galderisi had returned to his original club (Milan) after a disappointing spell.
Lazio fans were very sad to see Fascetti leave and he would never be forgotten but they also had reasons to be optimistic. Lazio were out of the purgatory of Serie B and had bought some interesting players.
Three South-Americans for a start: relatively unknown (pre-internet days) defender Nelson Gutierrez (River Plate) and Abel Dezotti (Newell's Old Boys) plus better known and promising forward Ruben Sosa (Real Zaragoza). Lazio had also signed some Italians: defender Marco Monti (Virescit Bergamo) plus midfielders Andrea Icardi (Atalanta) and Claudio Sclosa (Pisa).
Lazio’s objective this season was to enjoy their new elite status and hopefully not have to suffer excessively to maintain it.
So far Lazio had drawn both their league games. At Cesena 0-0 in the opener and then 1-1 at home to Torino.
In Coppa Italia in August and September Lazio had qualified for the quarterfinal to be played against Atalanta in January. In the first group stage Lazio had won 3 (Licata 3-0, Campobasso 2-0 and Messina 4-3) and lost 2 (Pescara 1-2 and Milan 1-2). In the second-round group stage, Lazio had surprisingly beaten Fiorentina 1-0, drawn 1-1 with Inter and then beaten Udinese 1-0. Abel Dezotti had 6 cup goals and Ruben Sosa 4.
Milan had won the Scudetto the previous year under Arrigo Sacchi. They already had two out of three of the famous Dutchmen, Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit plus Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Donadoni and top scorer Pietro Paolo Virdis to name a few.
This season Sacchi was still the manager and the squad was pretty much unchanged. The only really important signing was Dutch midfielder Frank Rijkaard from Sporting Lisbon.
So far in Serie A the Rossoneri had won both their games (Fiorentina 4-0 at home and Pescara 3-1 away).
In the European Cup the "Diavolo" had knocked out Bulgarians Vitoša Sophia 7-2 on aggregate. In the second round they were to play the first leg at home to Red Star Belgrade on October 26.
In Coppa Italia in August and September they had not got past the second group stage. In the first they had qualified along with Lazio after 4 wins (Licata 2-0, Pescara 2-1, Campobasso 3-1 and Lazio 2-1) and 1 draw (Messina 1-1). In the second, however, they had won 1 (Sambenedettese 3-1), drawn 1 (Verona 1-1) and lost 1 (Torino 0-1) and been eliminated.
Milan were strong favourites today. Lazio's only hope was the possibility of the Rossoneri being distracted by their upcoming European fixture.
The match: Sunday, October 23, 1988, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan
A big crowd of 75,000 came up to the San Siro area to watch the reigning champions (65,000 were season ticket holders).
Lazio basically played with five defenders, expecting a difficult afternoon. Paolo Beruatto may have worn the number 11 shirt but was often seen at left back position. Milan were without Roberto Donadoni while Angelo Colombo dropped out at the last minute.
Milan attacked constantly from the start but it was immediately obvious that Lazio would be difficult to break down. The Biancocelesti were very tight at the back, well organised and ready to counter attack.
Gustavo Dezotti had an early chance when he won a challenge at the edge of the box but his left-footed effort was deflected by a defender into corner with the keeper beaten.
Then it was generally Milan in Lazio's half. Roberto Mussi had a shot come cross hit the bar and go over. Ruud Gullit had a header go wide from an Alberico Evani corner and a Marco Van Basten freekick hit the wall and spun out to Silvano Martina's left. Milan had one big chance before halftime, on a long Gullit cross into the box the ball was headed by Carlo Ancelotti to Pietro Paolo Virdis whose volley reached Van Basten near the right post, but the Dutchman was unable to react in time and find the right coordination and the ball spun up for Martina to catch. It must surely have been offside but the flag strangely stayed down. Half time Milan 0 Lazio 0.
Milan predictably on top but Lazio very solid and causing the Rossoneri a lot of problems.
There were no changes for the second half. It followed a similar pattern but Milan were increasingly frustrated by Lazio's compactness and had even fewer chances. In fact, it was Lazio who threatened more on the break. On a long ball from midfield, keeper Giovanni Galli came out of his area and cleared with a header, the ball reached Dezotti but he didn't have the skill to manage a decent lob. Then it was Dezotti again on the break, he galloped forward and into the area where a lunging tackle by Paolo Maldini sent him sprawling just before he could shoot. It looked like a penalty but the referee gestured to play on.
In the 66th and 69th minute Milan replaced Gullit with Christian Lantignotti and Virdis with Graziano Mannari while Lazio put on a fresh defender, Massimo Piscedda for Marco Monti.
Milan continued to attack and Lazio had to resort to some rough tactics especially on Van Basten. Martina had to dive low to his left to block a powerful Evani freekick. Lazio continued to dominate on Milan's aerial attacks and ultimately managed to bring home a hard fought and deserved point. Final score Milan 0 Lazio 0.
A frustrating afternoon for Milan against a determined and concentrated opposition. They had probably missed Donadoni's inventiveness to create numerical superiority. It was just one of those days when the defence wins over the attack. In truth Milan did not create many chances and this was also due to Lazio’s midfield who had pressed, run and worked hard for 90 minutes.
A good away point for Lazio against the reigning champions. Lazio proved they could be a difficult team to beat this season.
Who played for Milan
Galli, Mussi, Maldini, Ancelotti, Tassotti, Baresi, Evani, Rijkaard, Van Basten, Gullit (66' Lantignotti), Virdis (69' Mannari)
Substitutes: Antonioli, Costacurta, Viviani
Manager: Sacchi
Who played for Lazio
Martina, Marino, Monti (69' Piscedda), Pin, Gregucci, Gutierrez, Dezotti, Icardi, Di Canio (84' Muro), Sosa, Beruatto
Manager: Materazzi
Referee: Sguizzato
What happened next
Lazio had two more draws (Como and Napoli) before getting their first win of the season (Verona 3-1 at home). It would be a season of 19 draws, 5 wins and 10 defeats. Lazio finished 10th.
The highpoint of the Biancocelesti's season however would come on the 15th January 1989. It was derby day in the capital and Roma were strong favourites to put it mildly. Against all odds however it ended 1-0 to Lazio with a goal by a young local boy and Lazio fan, Paolo Di Canio. To rub salt in the Romanisti's wounds he even emulated his hero Giorgio Chinaglia by celebrating under the Roma end. An epic Lazio derby win after almost 10 years, the season would be positive whatever happened next.
In Coppa Italia Lazio were eliminated by Atalanta 3-4 on aggregate in the quarter finals.
All in all, a decent first year back in the big time with the long awaited plus of the derby win. Top scorer was Rubén Sosa with 12 goals (8 in league) while Lazio only scored 23 league goals all season.
Milan did not manage to retain the title and finished 3rd. They did however win the European Cup. After S. Sophia they eliminated Red Star Belgrade on penalties, Werder Bremen 1-0 and Real Madrid 6-1 to set up a final against Steaua Bucharest. The final was played at the Nou Camp in Barcelona and Milan trounced the Romanians 4-0 (Gullit x2, Van Basten x2).
Milan also won the Italian Supercoppa beating Sampdoria 3-1. Milan's top scorer was Van Basten with 33 goals (19 in league).
Lazio 1988-89
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie A | 34 | 5 | 19 | 10 | 23 |
Coppa Italia | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 17 |
Total | 44 | 11 | 20 | 13 | 40 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Ruben Sosa | 43 | 33 | 10 |
Dezotti | 38 | 29 | 9 |
Beruatto | 37 | 28 | 9 |
Di Canio | 37 | 30 | 7 |
Monti | 36 | 29 | 7 |
Pin | 36 | 27 | 9 |
Top five goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
Ruben Sosa | 12 | 8 | 4 |
Dezotti | 9 | 3 | 6 |
Gregucci | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Rizzolo | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Pin | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Let's talk about Raimondo Marino
Raimondo Marino was born in Messina, on February 11, 1961.
He grew up in the Napoli youth sector and made his first team debut in 1979. The manager was first former Lazio Luís Vinicio and then, for the last three games, Angelo Sormani. Marino played 7 league games with 1 goal (winner against Milan), 1 in Coppa Italia and 2 in the UEFA Cup. His teammates included Lazio connections Roberto Badiani, Andrea Agostinelli, Claudio Vinazzani and Walter Speggiorin. Napoli finished 10th.
In 1980-81 Napoli finished 3rd (UEFA Cup) under former Lazio player Rino Marchesi. Marino played 13 league games and 4 in Coppa Italia. He played in a defence which included Ruud Krol, Giuseppe Bruscolotti and Moreno Ferrario.
In 1981-82 Napoli finished 4th (UEFA Cup) and Marino played 18 league games with 1 goal (Como), 4 in Coppa Italia and 1 in the UEFA Cup. His teammates included former Lazio, Filippo Citterio.
In 1982-83 former Lazio player Massimo Giacomini arrived as manager but he was replaced at the end of November by Gennaro Rambone (with Bruno Pesaola as TD). The Partenopei finished 10th and Marino played 27 league games with 2 goals (last minute equaliser away at Inter and Roma), 8 in Coppa Italia and 4 in Europe. His teammates included Claudio Vagheggi.
In 1983 Marino was loaned to Catanzaro in Serie B for a year. It was a negative one for "Aquile del Sud" (Eagles of the South) or maybe slightly exaggerated "Timore del Nord" (Fear of the North) as they were relegated to Serie C. The managers were first Mario Corso and then, after ten games, former Lazio player, Antonio Renna. Marino played 35 league games with 5 goals (Campobasso, Como, Cremonese, Arezzo and Sambenedettese).
In 1984-85 he was back in Naples in Serie A. The manager was Marchesi again and the "Azzurri" finished 8th. Marino played 22 league games and 5 in Coppa Italia. His teammates included a character called Diego Armando Maradona.
The 1985-86 would be his last in Naples. The new manager was Ottavio Bianchi and Napoli finished 3rd (UEFA Cup). Marino played 12 league games and 5 in Coppa Italia. Two of his new team mates were Lazio legend Bruno Giordano and former keeper Claudio Garella. The following season Napoli would win the Scudetto but by then Marino had moved on.
In the summer of 1986, he joined Lazio in Serie B. The manager was Eugenio Fascetti and the Biancocelesti had promotion ambitions. Unfortunately, before the season they were given a docking of nine points for former player Claudio Vinazzani's alleged involvement in the Totonero-bis betting scandal. With still only two points for a win this was a heavy handicap. Lazio however had a memorable season. They avoided direct relegation with a dramatic 83rd minute Giuliano Fiorini goal against Vicenza and went to a three-team playoff with Taranto and Campobasso, to decide the last team to go down. In Naples in July, Lazio first lost 0-1 to Taranto but then beat Campobasso 1-0 with a Fabio Poli winner. An endless and epic season. Marino played 31 league games plus 1 in the playoffs with 3 goals (Pescara, Cremonese and Campobasso) and 2 in Coppa Italia.
In 1987-88 Fascetti stayed on and Lazio won promotion to Serie A. Marino played 36 league games and scored 2 goals (Modena and opened the score in the promotion clincher against Taranto) plus 5 in Coppa Italia. A big contribution to Lazio’s return to the top flight after three difficult years.
In 1988-89 Fascetti surprisingly left, over divergences on market strategies and in came Giuseppe Materazzi. Lazio had a decent first season back and finished 10th. Marino played 26 league games and 8 in Coppa Italia with 2 goals (Messina, Atalanta). The highlight of the season was defeating Roma after ten years with a Paolo Di Canio winner. Marino played the whole game blocking Rudi Völler, Bruno Conti, Giuseppe Giannini and company.
In 1989-90 he signed for Lecce in Serie A. Under manager Carlo Mazzone the Salentini finished 12th. Marino played 31 league games with 1 goal (Cesena) and 2 in Coppa Italia. He stayed on the following season, under manager Zbigniew Boniek but the "Lupi" were relegated. Marino played 15 league games with 1 goal (Cagliari) and 5 in Coppa Italia.
In 1993 he joined L'Aquila in C2. The "Valorosa" (The Valiant) came 6th but was then relegated to Eccellenza (5th tier) due to financial problems. The Rossoblu then finished 3rd and then changed their name to Vis Aquila and in 1995-96 played in the Amateur League. In his three years in Abruzzo, he played 28 league games and in his last year was player - manager.
In his early years he also earned 2 Under 21 caps in 1980.
At the age of 35 Marino retired and went into full time coaching. From 1997 to 2003 he was in Lecce's youth sector. In 2003-04 he coached Napoli Primavera (U19's) and from 2004 to 2006 was involved with Taranto youth sector and then first team. In 2007, towards the end of the season, he became head coach at Ternana in C1 and finished 12th. In 2007-08 he was manager of Gubbio in C2 but did not last the season. In 2009-10 he was coach at Real Squinzano (Lecce) in Promozione (6th tier) and finished 4th. Then from 2010 to 2014 he was back in Lecce's youth sector. From 2017 he has been involved in Brindisi's youth sector.
Marino was a central defender but he could also play at left and right full-back. He is 1.88 and 76 kilos. He was a strong and physical defender good at man to man marking. He could however also play the ball from the back and given his height was good in the air. He played 156 games in Serie A.
He was at Lazio only three seasons but they were all important ones. He is one of the -9 heroes who saved the club from relegation. In his second year Lazio won promotion back to Serie A. In his third Lazio were back in the big time and he was captain, with the Biancocelesti experiencing the thrill of winning a local derby for the first time in ten years. Marino is obviously remembered fondly at Lazio.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1986-87 | 34 (3) | - | 32 (3) | 2 |
1987-88 | 41 (2) | - | 36 (2) | 5 |
1988-89 | 28 (2) | 26 | - | 2 (2) |
Total | 103 (7) | 26 | 68 (5) | 9 (2) |
Sources
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