Game 31, Serie A
Sunday, May 5, 1991
Stadio Arena Garibaldi, Pisa
Pisa Lazio 0-1
A Sosa curling freekick gave Lazio the away win and sent Pisa down
Lazio were currently in joint 9th position with Roma but only 3 points off Parma in the last European qualification position (6th place).
Pisa were in serious trouble. After winning the first two games of the season they had struggled and were bottom of the table. The Nerazzurri had 19 points, 5 from safety Cagliari on 24. If they lost this game they could already go down (Cagliari played Genoa at home).
Lazio were favourites today but Pisa were desperate to cling on to Serie A so should not be underestimated.
The match
About 15,000 turned at the small ground not far from the leaning tower.
Pisa were missing forward Lamberto Piovanelli while Lazio had no major absences.
Pisa started stronger realising this could be their last chance to give themselves some hope. In the 3rd minute Michele Padovano shot just over the bar, in the 6th Davide Lucarelli did the same and in the 7th Valerio Fiori saved well from a close range Padovano effort. In the 24th minute Padovano went off injured and was replaced by midfielder Stefano Marini.
After this initial onslaught the Biancocelesti managed to limit Pisa but offered nothing themselves up front. Half time Pisa 0 Lazio 0. An extra cautious Lazio so far.
Fortunately, they came out with a different spirit in the second half. They started to attack more but also risked conceding on the break as in the 47th minute when Fiori was reactive on a close range shot by Maurizio Neri.
Lazio however, were in the ascendancy and now pushed forward constantly. In the 60th minute the visitors replaced midfielder Sergio Domini with another midfielder, Pedro Troglio. In the 64th minute they had a massive chance. Rubén Sosa looked certain to score but Simoni managed to save on the line with his feet and on the rebound the Uruguayan striker hit the crossbar.
The goal came in the 70th minute. Lazio had a free kick just outside the box about 20 metres out. Sosa hit it over the wall and into the left-hand corner. Pisa 0 Lazio 1.
Pisa tried to hit back but despite some pressure never really threatened. It was Lazio who went closer to doubling their lead. Karl-Heinz Riedle missed a chance in the 86th minute, pulling the ball wide, and then in the 88th minute Sosa hit his second crossbar of the afternoon. Full time Pisa 0 Lazio 1.
After a mediocre first half Lazio had come out with a better attitude and deserved the win.
Lazio were still 9th with Roma but now only two points behind Parma and Juventus in 6th place.
Pisa were officially relegated as Cagliari had got a point against Genoa.
Who played for Pisa
Simoni, Chamot, Lucarelli, Larsen, Calori, Bosco, Neri, Simeone, Padovano (24' Marini), Dolcetti (75' Boccafresca), Fiorentini
Substitutes: Lazzarini, Dianda, Argentesi
Manager: Giannini
Who played for Lazio
Fiori, Bergodi, Sergio, Pin, Gregucci, Bacci, Madonna, Sclosa (72' Marchegiani), Riedle, Domini (60' Troglio), Sosa
Substitutes: Orsi, Lampugnani, Saurini
Manager: Zoff
Referee: Lanese
Goals: 70' Sosa
Sources
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