Nightmare start but Lazio salvage point
A goal down after 40 seconds and after hosts having several more chances, Lazio rescue draw with a Giordano penalty
Also on this day: October 9, 1960: Lazio Napoli 1-1. Lazio score five minutes from time but controversial freekick gives visitors immediate equaliser. Player of the day: Paolo Ferrario
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 international), 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 faithfuls: 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), 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 Chinaglia, was enough to excite even the most laid-back fans.
So far, the season had, as expected, been difficult. Lazio had lost two against Verona 2-4 and Juventus 0-1 (but playing well against the Bianconeri), drawn one (Genoa 0-0 away) and won one (Inter 3-0 at home). Michael Laudrup 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.
Sampdoria had finished 7th the previous season, under Renzo Ulivieri. It had been their first year back in A after five seasons in B, so it was a satisfactory campaign and could have been even better without injuries to Trevor Francis and Roberto Mancini.
This season Ulivieri was still on the bench but Sampdoria had some good new players; keeper Ivano Bordon (Inter), defender Pietro Vierchowod (back from loan periods with Fiorentina and Roma), midfielders Fausto Pari (Parma), Roberto Galia (Como) and Domenico Marocchino (Juventus).
The main players leaving were keeper Paolo Conti (Bari), defender Dario Bonetti (Roma) and midfielder Domenico Maggiora (Cagliari).
So far, Sampdoria had the same points as Lazio, three, after one win (Inter 2-1 away on debut), one draw (Catania 1-1 away) and two losses (Roma and Fiorentina both 1-2 at home). Francis had two goals, Mancini one and Liam Brady one.
In Coppa Italia, in the summer, the Blucerchiati had qualified from a group with: Campania 3-1, Pistoiese 4-1, Triestina 0-1, Cremonese 0-0 and Pisa 1-0. They would now play Ascoli in the Last 16 in February.
Both teams needed points and Sampdoria had already lost both previous home games, so Lazio would be keen to exploit any possible psychological issues affecting the Doriani.
The match: Sunday, October 9, 1983, Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa
A grey October day in the port city of Genoa attracted 30,000 to the old Marassi.
The match had barely started when Sampdoria scored. A left-footed cross from the right by Domenico Marocchino came across the area and, untouched by anyone, sneaked in off the far post. A mix of skill, luck and keeper's hesitancy. Anyway, not even one minute gone (40 seconds…) and Sampdoria 1 Lazio 0. A shock start for the Biancocelesti.
A perfect start for the Doriani who could control and take advantage of the spaces Lazio would inevitably have to concede.
The game plan went as expected, the Biancocelesti attacked and Samp struck on the break. Lazio, however, were never dangerous but thanked the Blucerchiati's wastefulness on the break to be only one nil down at halftime. Sampdoria 1 Lazio 0.
There were no substitutions during the interval although Lazio had already been forced to change an injured Rinaldo Piraccini with Enrico Vella after 36 minutes.
The second half was similar to the first but Sampdoria just could not put the game to sleep. They had their chances, the biggest when Roberto Mancini had only Massimo Cacciatori to beat but managed to hit the Lazio keeper, desperately coming off his line.
In the 65th minute the home side possibly threw Lazio a lifeline when they replaced Mancini with more defensive Francesco Casagrande. Lazio could attack but the constant threat of being punished on the break diminished. Lazio answered by putting a more attacking and former Samp defender Vincenzo Chiarenza for Arcadio Spinozzi.
In the 71st minute Lazio had their first real chance of the game. Giancarlo Marini put Michael Laudrup plain through, but Ivano Bordon pulled off a brilliant save and pushed the ball out for a corner.
Sampdoria finally threw away the deserved two points in the 79th minute. A back heel by Laudrup reached Claudio Vinazzani just inside the area where he was naively pushed from behind by Giovanni Guerrini. Pairetto immediately pointed to the penalty spot, Bruno Giordano stepped up and sent Bordon one way and a hard, low shot to his left. Sampdoria 1 Lazio 1.
At this point Sampdoria were demoralised and tired while Lazio were more than pleased with their away point. Final score Sampdoria 1 Lazio 1.
Sampdoria were kicking themselves for not having scored a crucial second goal while Lazio were relieved to have got off lightly. The Biancocelesti however were well aware they would have to improve if they were to have a relegation worry free season.
Who played for Sampdoria
Bordon, Galia, Vierchowod, Pari, Guerrini, Renica, Marocchino, Scanziani, Chiorri, Brady, Mancini (65' Casagrande)
Substitutes: Rosin, Bellotto, Aguzzoli, Picasso
Manager: Ulivieri
Who played for Lazio
Cacciatori, Miele, Spinozzi (65' Chiarenza), Manfredonia, Batista, Vinazzani, Cupini, Marini, Giordano, Laudrup, Piraccini (36' Vella)
Manager: Morrone
Referee: Pairetto
Goals: 1' Marocchino, 78' Giordano (pen)
What happened next
Lazio did not improve much but managed to avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth.
A week later they lost the derby 0-2 and then continued to struggle, winning only two games before Christmas (Avellino 2-1 and Catania 3-0). 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 at Fiorentina, Bruno-Gol had finally come back and 10,000 Lazio fans travelled up to Florence to witness the event, 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. Lionello 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.
Sampdoria had another decent season. A week later they lost 1-2 to Milan away but then won 6 out of the next 7 (including Juventus 2-1 away and the derby 2-0). They ended the season with 12 wins, 8 draws and 10 defeats. Top scorer was Roberto Mancini with 10 (8 in league).
In Coppa Italia they were beaten by Torino in the quarter finals, on away goals.
The best years in Sampdoria's history however were about to start.
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 Massimo Cacciatori
Massimo Cacciatori was born in Ascoli Piceno, on May 4, 1951.
He started playing for local club Del Duca Ascoli and then spent spells with Inter and Cagliari's youth sectors before making his professional debut with Sampdoria.
He played for the Blucerchiati between 1972 and 1978. The first five in Serie A with 11th, 13th, 12th, 11th and 14th places (relegation) and one in Serie B with an 8th place. His managers were Heriberto Herrera, Guido Vincenzi, future Lazio Giulio Corsini, Eugenio Bersellini and Giorgio Canali. His teammates included Lazio connections Roberto Badiani, Mario Maraschi, Vincenzo Chiarenza and Rosario Di Vincenzo. Cacciatori played 177 league games for "Il Doria".
In 1978 he moved to Lazio to take over from a disappointing Claudio Garella. The manager was Bob Lovati and Lazio had a decent season finishing 8th. Cacciatori played 30 league games and 6 in Coppa Italia.
The following year was a disaster for Cacciatori and Lazio. Lazio were having an average season when on March 23 Cacciatori, Bruno Giordano, Pino Wilson and Lionello Manfredonia were arrested and subsequently banned for match fixing in the Totonero scandal. Lazio, despite staying up on the pitch, were then punished with relegation for their players' alleged involvement. Before the nightmare Cacciatori had played 24 league games and 6 in Coppa Italia.
It was also the year of Vincenzo Paparelli's tragic death. The 33-year-old Lazio fan was killed by a flare fired from the Roma end before a derby game. A terrible tragedy.
Cacciatori was banned for 5 years but returned in 1983 thanks to an armistice following Italy’s world cup triumph in Spain '82. He stayed with Lazio until 1985. He played 14 league games and 5 in Coppa Italia in the 83-84 season. He was first keeper until January '84 but then got injured and lost his place to Fernando Orsi. He then came on for the last two minutes of the last game of the season, Pisa-Lazio, when Lazio avoided relegation. In '84-85 he was on the bench all season and made no appearances.
In 1985 he signed for Gubbio, in Umbria, in the fifth tier. He played 76 league games for the "Lupi" (The Wolves), over four seasons. In 1987 they were promoted to C2 (4th tier). The last two years with the Rossoblu were therefore in professional C2 with 4th and 6th places.
Cacciatori retired in 1989 at the age of 38.
He then went into coaching. His first job was in his hometown of Ascoli from 1992 to 1993. In January 1992 he took over from Giancarlo De Sisti but failed to keep the "Picchio" in Serie A (Picchio is curiously De Sisti's nickname too). Ascoli finished 18th, under Cacciatori they won 3 games and drew 2 (including Lazio 1-1 away) and lost the rest. In the Bianconeri squad were Bruno Giordano, Pedro Troglio and Massimo Piscedda, all former Lazio.
In 1992-93 he was confirmed by historic and charismatic owner Costantino Rozzi. The Piceni finished 6th. The star player was former Milan, Oliver Bierhoff who scored 20 league goals.
In 1994-95 Cacciatori was assistant to Attilio Perotti at Ancona in Serie B. The Dorici finished 6th. The following year Cacciatori was head coach but replaced after 35 games and Ancona ended up relegated to C1.
In 1996 he was head coach at Teramo in C2. During the season he took over from Giuseppe Raffaele but was then replaced by Raffaele himself before the end of the season. The "Diavoli" (The Devils) finished 7th.
In 1997 he was back home in Ascoli in C1. He came in during the season to replace Salvatore Esposito and the Bianconeri finished 10th. In the squad were former Lazio Luca Luzardi and Franco Marchegiani.
In 1999-2000 he moved to Gualdo Tadino in Umbria. He was the third manager of the season but was unable to prevent Gualdo Casacastalda from dropping from C1 to C2 after a playout.
In 2000-01 he took over at Campobasso in C2 for the last league fixture and the playoffs. In the league the "Lupi" (The Wolves - there are many in Italy.) defeated Puteolana (Pozzuoli, Naples) 1-0 but then lost the playoff semi-final to Sora (Frosinone) 0-1 on aggregate. That was his last managerial job.
Since 2001 he teaches "tecnica del portiere" (goalkeeping technique) at the Italian F.I.G.C coaching centre in Coverciano near Florence. He has also written his own text book for the course, " Il portiere moderno" (the modern goalkeeper).
Cacciatori was a good goalkeeper. He is 1.78 and 73 kilos. He was a sturdy and brave with good reactivity. There are obviously two parts to his career, before and after the Totonero scandal. Before he had played 231 Serie A games with Sampdoria and Lazio and was a respected goalkeeper. After the forced absence from the posts and at 32 he never recovered his previous form and his career went downhill.
At Lazio he had a good 1978-79 season and was popular with the fans. Lazio finished 8th and had some good wins. Cacciatori even saved a penalty from Perugia specialist Casarsa but then did miss one himself in a Coppa Italia shoot out against Palermo (Lazio lost 4-5). The following season was obviously ruined by the Totonero saga and when he returned, he seemed to be a bit past it.
Personally, he was the Lazio keeper in the season I started going to the Olimpico regularly, in the '78-79 season. He was my first keeper so, maybe with rose tinted glasses, I will always have a soft spot for him.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances | Serie A | Coppa Italia |
1978-79 | 36 | 30 | 6 |
1979-80 | 30 | 24 | 6 |
1983-84 | 19 | 14 | 5 |
Total | 85 | 68 | 17 |
Sources
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