Game 32, Serie B
Sunday, May 2, 1982
Stadio Adriatico, Pescara
Pescara Lazio 1-2
A Vagheggi brace gives Lazio a much needed away win
The Biancocelesti, after having been eliminated immediately in Coppa Italia, had not played well but after 18 games they were just a couple of points off the promotion zone. In the last game of the first half of the season however Lazio crumbled against Palermo and Ilario Castagner was sacked. He was replaced by the head coach of the Primavera team Roberto Clagluna, his first experience with a first team squad.
The situation had not improved. In 12 games Lazio won just twice and had drawn the last four games all 0-0, three of which at home. Promotion was six points away, and quite frankly, seeing the quality of this team, was no longer an objective. Today’s game was a winning opportunity since Pescara were rock bottom.
The match
Despite the fact that both teams were not exactly displaying champagne football, quite a lot happened in the first half. In the 13th minute Walter Mazzarri hit the crossbar then Lazio had three great chances, twice with Claudio Vagheggi and once with Alberto Bigon, all three well saved by the Pescara keeper. Later, still in the first 45 minutes, Mauro Amenta hit the crossbar on a free kick. To note was the return to active football of Maurizio Montesi after 26 months from his injury.
Nothing much happened in the beginning of the second half apart from an attempt by Ersilio Cerone to decapitate Vagheggi with a karate kick in order to stop him from scoring. The referee was however busy sunbathing and missed the acrobatic attempt. Vagheggi's reaction was to invite Cerone for an amicable confrontation in the changing rooms. In the 74th minute, Vincenzo D’Amico to Vagheggi who dribbled past a couple of players and with a precise low shot put Lazio in the lead. The Biancocelesti forward dedicated his goal to the keeper.
Tempers began to flare. Five minutes later Ennio Pellegrini stopped Vagheggi into corner and decided to try and headbutt him. This time the referee saw what was happening and sent the Pescara player off. The local fans were not pleased. They grabbed everything throwable, broke up some of the stands made of slabs of stone and pelted the pitch. The match was suspended for nine minutes.
On the return to the pitch, Lazio scored. Vincenzo Chiarenza tried a shot from outside the box, the goalkeeper parried and Vagheggi tapped the ball in. It was the 90th minute, going into stoppage time. Four minutes later Amenta reduced the deficit and the referee, in order to avoid any more interference from the Pescara fans, ended the game with at least five minutes to go.
Who played for Pescara
Grassi, D'Alessandro, Amenta, D.Coletta, Cerone, E.Pellegrini, Lombardi, Casaroli, Nobili, Mazzarri (67' Di Michele), Livello (46' Silva)
Substitutes: Pacchiarotti, Eusepi, Marchi
Manager: Chiappella
Who played for Lazio
Marigo, Spinozzi, Chiarenza, Mastropasqua, Pochesci, Sanguin, Vagheggi, Bigon, Surro (64’ D’Amico), De Nadai, Montesi (46’ Ferretti)
Manager: Clagluna
Referee: Esposito
Goals: 74’ Vagheggi, 90’ Vagheggi, 94’ Amenta
Sources
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