Lazio display Serie A credentials
A goal per half, by Garlini and Magnocavallo, dispatch Arezzo in a convincing performance
Also on this day: September 29, 1963: Lazio Genoa 1-0. Mari scores winner fifteen minutes from time and the Biancocelesti are now joint league leaders. Player of the day: Giampaolo Piaceri
The season so far
Lazio's new dawn under Giorgio Chinaglia had failed and they were back in Serie B. Despite changing manager twice (Paolo Carosi to Juan Carlos Lorenzo and finally to Bob Lovati/Giancarlo Oddi) Lazio came second bottom and made the drop. Chinaglia's financial partners had never materialized and he was in huge difficulty. Turbulent times on and off the pitch.
This year the new manager was much respected Gigi Simoni. Lazio had been obliged to sell their star players; Bruno Giordano (Napoli), Lionello Manfredonia (Juventus) plus Michael Laudrup had gone (Juventus - end of 2-year loan). Also leaving were keepers Massimo Cacciatori (Gubbio) and Fernando Orsi (Arezzo), defender Renato Miele (Triestina) and midfielders Giancarlo Marini (Genoa) and Joao Batista (Avellino).
Lazio had brought in some players more suitable to the new financial and sporting situation. A rare deal with Roma was made and in came goalkeeper Astutillo Malgioglio, three defenders arrived: Fabio Calcaterra (Inter-loan), Roberto Galbiati (Torino) and Giorgio Magnocavallo (Atalanta), a midfielder Domenico Caso (Torino) and two forwards, Giuliano Fiorini (Genoa) and Fabio Poli (Cagliari). The two forwards would later prove to be history changers for Lazio.
In the Coppa Italia, in August and September, Lazio had won two (Catania 1-0 and Monopoli 2-0) and drawn three (Atalanta 2-2, Taranto 0-0 and Sampdoria 0-0) but were eliminated on goal difference.
In Serie B the Biancocelesti had won two (Palermo 2-1 and Campobasso 2-0 both at home) but also lost one (Bologna 0-1 away).
Today's opposition, Arezzo, finished 14th the previous season under three different managers; Enzo Riccomini (1-23), Giuseppe Chiappella (24-32) and finally Mario Rossi (33-38). Top scorer was, past and future Roma player, on loan Sandro Tovalieri with 10 league goals.
This season the "Cobra" Tovalieri was back on the Giallorosso side of the capital while Arezzo manager was Mario Russo. In the squad were future Lazio Fabrizio Di Mauro and past and future Lazio keeper Nando Orsi.
In the Coppa Italia Arezzo had won 1 (Cagliari 3-0), drawn 1 (Genoa 1-1) and lost 3 (Udinese 0-1, Milan 1-3, Reggiana 0-1).
In Serie B the Aretini had lost 1 (Triestina 1-2 on debut) and drawn 2 (Catania 1-1 and Pescara 2-2).
The match: Sunday, September 29, 1985, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
It was still hot in Rome and today's clash did not attract a big crowd, about 25,000.
Lazio came on determined to make their superiority count immediately. They attacked from the word go and forced the Aretini on the defensive.
In the 6th minute their liveliness was rewarded. Gabriele Podavini went down the right and crossed into the area where Oliviero Garlini beat Nando Orsi with a spectacular diving header. Lazio 1 Arezzo 0.
Lazio continued to attack and only former and future Lazio keeper Orsi's saves kept the Tuscan "Cavallino" (The Foals / Young Horses) in it.
Arezzo did gradually grow into the game with a good midfield where Domenico Neri, Massimo Esposito and Andrea Mangoni held their own. The Amaranto however constantly failed the last assist or touch. Former Roma Guido Ugolotti and former Inter Carlo Muraro (41 Serie A goals) looked good up front but rarely threatened. Halftime Lazio 1 Arezzo 0.
Lazio had done the dirty work early on and now could control the game and hopefully strike on the break.
There were no changes during the interval. Lazio almost scored straight away. In the 46th minute Giuliano Fiorini passed to Fabio Poli who cut in along the by-line and squared a perfect ball to an unmarked Italo Galbiati who however hit the post.
In the 56th minute Arezzo replaced defender Rosario Sasso with future Lazio midfielder and derby scorer Fabrizio Di Mauro, in an attempt to be more offensive.
The game became increasingly tense and dirty with several bookings. In the 68th minute Lazio scored again. A brilliant through ball by Fiorini was latched on to by Giorgio Magnocavallo who beat the offside trap and cut in towards Orsi, beating him with a precise diagonal low shot. Lazio 2 Arezzo 0. The "Cavallino" had seemingly found its slaughterer, the aptly named Magnocavallo.
Arezzo continued to show courage and went forward but inevitably left themselves vulnerable on the counter attack. In the 87th minute Poli raced towards goal but was energetically pushed by Stefano Butti for a clear penalty. Poli stepped up but missed, sending the ball wide. Not to worry, final score Lazio 2 Arezzo 0.
A solid performance by Lazio who had been determined, concentrated and practical showing why they were considered to be one of the favourites for promotion.
Who played for Lazio
Malgioglio, Podavini, Calisti, Galbiati, Calcaterra, Magnocavallo, Poli, Vinazzani (88' Toti), Fiorini, Caso, Garlini (86' Dell' Anno)
Manager: Simoni
Who played for Arezzo
Orsi, Minoia, S.Butti, Mangoni, Sasso (56' Di Mauro), Pozza, Ugolotti, Ermini, D.Neri, M.Esposito (72' Raggi II), C.Muraro
Substitutes: Carbonari, Tei, Ferrara
Manager: Russo
Referee: Pellicanò
Goals: 6' Garlini, 68' Magnocavallo
What happened next
Lazio had an awful season on and off the pitch and the two were obviously connected. Giorgio Chinaglia was forced to leave and returned to the States in December. In February Franco Chimenti became president and it was a turbulent season with late or unpaid wages amid confusion and uncertainty. Poor Gigi Simoni did the best he could but Lazio finished 11th, after even risking relegation at one point (a 3-2 away win at Catanzaro in the penultimate game finally blew away all worries). One positive note was Oliviero Garlini who despite Lazio's poor season was top Serie B goal scorer with 18.
As bad as things seemed they got worse. The following season's 1986-87 promotion dream was already shattered in the late summer. Lazio player Claudio Vinazzani was accused of being involved in the "Totonero- bis" match fixing scandal. On August 6 Lazio were sentenced to relegation to Serie C. The owners, the Calleri brothers, risked giving up and leaving while 8,000 fans caused urban warfare under the Football Federation headquarters. The players, already in pre-season training in Gubbio, decided to stay on for now, awaiting the final CAF verdict (the appeal).
On August 26 the appeal court changed the verdict to a lighter nine-point docking in the following season's Serie B. It was still a harsh sentence with two points per victory and especially considering the scant evidence against Lazio, but it meant survival and some hope for the future. So here started the epic -9 season…
Arezzo finished joint 11th with Lazio but with a one goal better goal difference. In December, before the Christmas break Russo was sacked and replaced by Enzo Riccomini. "Il Cavallino" won 9 (including Lazio 2-1) drew 18 and lost 11. Top scorer was former Roma Guido Ugolotti with 11 league goals.
Lazio 1985-86
Competition | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals scored |
Serie B | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 38 |
Coppa Italia | 5 | 2 | 3 | - | 5 |
Total | 43 | 13 | 17 | 13 | 43 |
Top five appearances
Player | Total | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
Garlini | 43 | 38 | 5 |
Podavini | 39 | 34 | 5 |
Calcaterra | 37 | 33 | 4 |
Galbiati | 35 | 30 | 5 |
Vinazzani | 35 | 30 | 5 |
Top goal scorers
Player | Total | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
Garlini | 18 | 18 | - |
Caso | 5 | 4 | 1 |
Fiorini | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Podavini | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Let’s talk about Giorgio Magnocavallo
Giorgio Magnocavallo was born in Chieuti (La Porta di Puglia - the door to Apulia), on April 11, 1957. He grew up near Bergamo, where his family moved soon after his birth.
He was formed in the Inter youth academy and was in the first team squad between 1973-75. He only played one game however in Coppa Italia. The managers were Helenio Herrera, Enea Masiero and Luis Suarez.
In 1975-76 he was loaned to Lecco for a year in Serie C. He played 27 league games with 2 goals and the "Manzoniani" finished 3rd.
In 1976-77 he spent another year on loan, this time with Varese in Serie B. The Biancorossi finished 8th and he played 29 league games with 2 goals.
In 1977-78 he joined Brescia in Serie B. "La Leonessa" (The Lioness), under former Lazio Gianni Seghedoni, finished 14th and Magnocavallo played 9 league games and 2 in Coppa Italia. He played alongside future Lazio Gabriele Podavini, Silvano Martina, Astutillo Malgioglio plus a young Evaristo Beccalossi (future Inter star).
In 1978 he returned to Inter but was soon loaned out to Genoa in Serie B. Magnocavallo played 19 league matches with 1 goal (Palermo). The "Grifone" finished 12th under three different managers; Pietro Maroso, Héctor Puricelli and Gianni Bui.
In 1979 he moved to Triestina in Serie C1 and stayed two seasons. The Alabardati finished 7th and 4th but won the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1980 defeating Sutton United on penalties. Magnocavallo played 53 league games with 8 goals for the Giuliani.
In 1981 he signed for Atalanta in C1. They were immediately promoted, then finished 8th in B and then won another promotion, this time to Serie A. In the top flight the "Dea" finished 10th. In this four-year period, he played 34 games in C with 4 goals, 57 games in B with 1 goal and 29 in A with 2 goals (Cremonese, Avellino). He played alongside Andrea Agostinelli, Daniele Filisetti, Armando Madonna, Enrico Vella and Roberto Soldà. The managers were Ottavio Bianchi the first two seasons and Nedo Sonetti the next two.
In 1985-86 he joined Lazio in Serie B. Giorgio Chinaglia was president but in great financial difficulty. Lazio had just been relegated but were hopeful of bouncing straight back up under promotion specialist Gigi Simoni. Things went differently and amid uncertainty and unfulfilled wage payment promises Lazio narrowly avoided relegation to Serie C. Chinaglia left in December and from February Franco Chimenti was president. In all the confusion Magnocavallo played 25 league games with 1 goal (Arezzo- he was the Horse Eater after all) and 5 games in Coppa Italia.
The next season Eugenio Fascetti arrived as manager to aim for promotion but Lazio's hopes were soon shattered when they were docked nine points (initially it was relegation) for Claudio Vinazzani's alleged involvement in the Totonero-bis betting scandal. The evidence was scant but fact was that Lazio started with a nine-point handicap (with only two points per victory). What followed was an epic season. Lazio conquered the right to a three-team playoff by beating Vicenza seven minutes from time with a Giuliano Fiorini goal. They then lost the first match 0-1 to Taranto but then beat Campobasso 1-0 with a Fabio Poli winner. The minus nine squad became heroes for life at Lazio. Magnocavallo played 27 league games (including the playoffs) with 2 goals (Bologna, Bari).
In 1987 however he left Lazio and joined Barletta in Serie B. He stayed two seasons and the "Furie Rosse" (The Red Furies) finished 17th and 11th under four different managers; Giorgio Rumignani, Enzo Riccomini, Rumignani again, Francesco Specchia and Gesualdo Albanese. Magnocavallo played 50 league games with 2 goals (Messina, Genoa) and 4 games in Coppa Italia.
In 1989-90 he joined SPAL in C2. The Estensi finished 10th under Luciano Magistrelli first and then Nello Santin. Magnocavallo played 19 league games with 5 goals (Cittadella, Ravenna, Juventus Domodossola, Virescit Bergamo, Sassuolo).
His last club was Formia (in Lazio between Rome and Naples) in C2 in 1990-91. He played 17 games for the Formiani and they finished 12th.
He then retired at 34.
He has since had a few coaching experiences, Frosinone 1991-92 at regional level and then amateurs Asperiam and Pagazzanese, both in the Bergamo area.
Magnocavallo was a defender and midfielder. He was a versatile player, strong physically, with good athletic and aerial abilities. He usually played at left back, defending and attacking. His best years were with Atalanta and their double jump from Serie C to A.
At Lazio he has his immortality assured as part of Fascetti's minus nine heroes. That squad is among the most popular in Lazio's history, up there with Scudetto and cup winning teams. Magno or "Magnum", as we called him, was there.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie B | Coppa Italia |
1985-86 | 30 (1) | 25 (1) | 5 |
1986-87 | 31 (2) | 29 (2) | 2 |
Total | 61 (3) | 54 (3) | 7 |
Sources
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