Bastia
and Torino were paired in the Third Round of the 1977/78 UEFA Cup.
The
Italians of Torino were one of the best Italian sides of the day. In fact they
provided the backbone of the Italian National along with neighbors Juventus.
They
contained a host of Italian Internationals such as Claudio Sala, Renato
Zaccarelli, Eraldo Pecci and the twin strike force of Paolino Pulici and
Francesco Graziani.
The
Team managed by Gigi Radice had won the Scudetto just a couple seasons earlier
in 1976. Torino had qualified from their opening rounds by defeating Cyprus’
APOEL Nicosia (3-0 home, 1-1 away) and Yugoslavia’s Dinamo Zagreb (3-1 home,
0-1 away).
The
little known French club from the Island of Corsica had been built on a
shoestring budget with many local players managed by Pierre Cahuzac.
The
team was built upon the organizational talents of Claude Papi. They had
recruited over the summer Dutch forward Johnny Rep from Valencia (replacing the
Yugoslavian Dragan Dzajic who had departed back to Red Star Belgrade that
summer).
In
addition they had taken on loan two promising players from Saint Etienne: Jean- François Larios and Felix Lacuesta (with Jacques Zimako
going in the opposite direction). The duo were deemed somewhat raw to make the
first team and were at Bastia in search of playing time.
Bastia
had already been the surprise of the Tournament by eliminating from their
opening rounds: Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon (3-2 home, 2-1 away) and England’s
Newcastle United (2-1 home, 3-1 away).
The
first leg, on November 23rd, was played at Bastia’s Stade Armand
Cesari (Stade Furiani).
Given
the fact that Stade Furiani was a small venue, there was some chatter whether
the match should be held at a bigger venue, such as at Marseille, Paris or even
nearby Ajaccio.
However,
Bastia Manager Pierre Cahuzac insisted at their traditional venue, since they
were used to playing there. In addition, many Bastia fans also protested at
such an idea.
Torino
were missing Renato Zaccarelli, who was unavailable due to suspension. Cesare
Butti would start in his place.
Bastia
were missing as much as five starters. The Yugoslavian goalkeeper Ognjen
Petrovic, as well as Andre Burkhard, Louis Desvignes, Georges Franceschetti and
Yves Mariot.
Marc
Weller covered for Petrovic in goal, while youngsters like Larios and Lacuesta
stepped up.
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Photo
From: Mondial, old series, Issue 11, December1977
(Bastia’s
Claude Papi, November 23, 1977, UEFA Cup, Bastia 2-Torino 1)
|
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1651, November 29, 1977
(Larios
and Pecci, November 23, 1977, UEFA Cup, Bastia 2-Torino 1)
|
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1651, November 29, 1977
(Bastia’s
Johnny Rep and Claude Papi, November 23, 1977, UEFA Cup, Bastia 2-Torino 1)
|
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1651, November 29, 1977
(Cazes and Francesco Graziani, November 23,
1977, UEFA Cup, Bastia 2-Torino 1) |
The
unavailabilities forced Cahuzac to call up reserve team players (their Third
Division side). Though regulations authorized five substitute players on the
bench, Bastia could manage to find only four: Dominique Murati, Merry Krimau,
Jose Graziani (namesake of the Torino star) and Pierre Mattei.
Cahuzac
set the bar higher in this round since Torino were one of the best Italian
sides.
It
was the Italians who took the lead in the 23rd minute. Claudio Sala
crossed from the right side (on the ground level) for Pulici.
 |
Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1651, November 29, 1977
(November
23, 1977, UEFA Cup, Bastia 2-Torino 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: Mondial, old series, Issue 11, December1977
(Pecci
between Larios, Lacuesta and papi, November 23, 1977, UEFA Cup, Bastia 2-Torino
1)
|
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Photo
From: Mondial, old series, Issue 11, December1977
(November
23, 1977, UEFA Cup, Bastia 2-Torino 1)
|
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Photo
From: Onze, Issue 24, December 1977
(Larios, November 23, 1977, UEFA Cup, Bastia
2-Torino 1) |
Pulici
with one touch raised the ball up and in the air volleyed past Weller.
Undeterred
Bastia kept attacking by pressing hard and fast with Papi at the center of most
of their moves.
In
the 37th minute, Torino lost ball in midfield. Papi took the ball
and gave it to Larios who sent Papi through to score.
Papi
was also instrumental in Bastia’s winning goal. In the 62nd minute,
he crossed from the right side for Felix who immediately passed to Rep who
scored the winner.
It
was a slim lead and many still favored Torino for the Second Leg.
 |
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 24, December 1977
(November
23, 1977, UEFA Cup, Bastia 2-Torino 1)
|
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Photo
From: Onze, Issue 24, December 1977
(November
23, 1977, UEFA Cup, Bastia 2-Torino 1)
|
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Photo
From: Onze, Issue 24, December 1977
(November 23, 1977, UEFA Cup, Bastia 2-Torino 1) |
The
Italian newspaper ‘Corriere della Sera’ declared that Bastia worthy of a place
in the Serie A and Papi took most of the plaudits.
French
National Team Manager Michel Hidalgo had been in the stands and was also
impressed by Papi.
He
now had an extra option in the number ten position.
The
second leg, on December 7th,
was played at Turin’s Stadio
Communale.
Bastia were to be without François Felix, who had suffered a knee injury after an
automobile accident.
Moroccan
striker Merry Krimau was called up as his replacement.
For
Torino Zaccarelli was back in the squad (Cesare Butti making way).
For
most observers Torino were stronger on paper and should have won. Johnny Rep
had lowered expectations by saying Bastia had only 10% chance of advancing
(afterwards he would say that he never would have believed the outcome).
Torino
attacked first and had Bastia regrouped in defense for most of the early going.
Despite
this, it was Bastia who scored first. In the 19th minute, Lacuesta
released Rep on the right side. Rep would give it back to Lacuesta (back to his
goal), who would lay it on for Larios to smash a hard shot from outside the box
into the net.
 |
Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1653, December 13, 1977
(Charles
Orlanducci and Paolino Pulici, December 7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia 3)
|
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1653, December 13, 1977
(Merry
Krimau, December 7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia 3)
|
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1653, December 13, 1977
(December 7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia 3) |
The joy was short-lived as just three minutes later Torino
equalized. Patrizio Sala’s cross from left side was diverted by Orlanducci into the
path of Graziani, who immediately turned and struck from the edge of the box.
Minutes
later in the 28th minute, Zaccarelli had to be substituted off by
Fabrizio Gorin due to injury.
Two
minutes into the second half and Torino took the lead to tie the aggregate
score.
Claudio
Sala crossed from the right side, Pulici headed it across to Graziani who
trapped the ball and struck past Weller.
 |
Photo
From: Mondial, old series, Issue 17, May 1978
(Cazes,
December 7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia 3)
|
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Photo
From: Onze, Issue 24, December 1977
(December
7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia 3)
|
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Photo
From: Onze, Issue 24, December 1977
(December
7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia 3)
|
Bastia
came back just three minutes later. In the 50th minute, Rep gave the
ball to Cazes on the left wing, who crossed the ball as Castellini was about to
reach him and Krimau scored in the empty net.
In
the action, Castellini had been struck in the knee by Luigi Danova and was
forced to be substituted (Giuliano Terraneo came on).
Minutes
later (54th), Rep was booked after a retaliation foul on Mozzini. He
had suffered repeated fouls by Caporale and Mozzini. He had been booked in a
previous encounter and would therefore miss the next match.
 |
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 24, December 1977
(December
7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia 3)
|
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Photo
From: L'Annee du Football, 1978
(Charles
Orlanducci and Paolino Pulici, December 7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia 3)
|
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Photo
From: Onze, Issue 24, December 1977
(Larios, December 7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino
2-Bastia 3) |
In
the 65th minute, Bastia completed the upset by scoring the winner.
After breaking up a Torino attack, Papi released Krimau who only had the
goalkeeper to beat.
It
had been a rare home defeat for Torino. Given their standing, Cahuzac felt this
victory was a significant achievement.
Afterwards,
the French questioned the refereeing of Welshman Clive
Thomas, whom they felt had been biased towards the home team, especially given
that Torino were uncharacteristically very physical.
Torino President Orfeo Pianelli felt his Team had placed too
many men upfront, which was a mistake against a team like Bastia.
Larios also said that he had not felt such joy. He felt the
victory was particularly special for himself and Lacuesta, who had bore the
brunt of criticism at Saint Etienne.
 |
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 24, December 1977
(Bastia
goalkeeper Marc Weller celebrating, December 7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia
3)
|
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Photo
From: L'Annee du Football, 1978
(Bastia
players celebrating, December 7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia 3)
|
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1653, December 13, 1977
(Bastia
players saluting the crowd, December 7, 1977, UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia 3)
|
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Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1653, December 13, 1977
(Bastia players celebrating, December 7, 1977,
UEFA Cup, Torino 2-Bastia 3) |
Bastia
won its sixth straight match in the competition vs. Torino.
Torino
would go on and finish third in the Italian League.
Bastia
built up on this success and in the quarterfinals (Spring 1978) eliminated East
Germany’s Carl Zeiss Jena. In the Semifinals, they eliminated Swizterland’s
Grasshoppers Zurich to reach the Final.
However,
their adventure ended at the Final vs. Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven who defeated
them at home (3-0) following a scoreless tie at Furiani.
Bastia’s
run in the UEFA Cup is part of French Football folklore and is referred as
‘L’Epopee de Bastia’.
Claude
Papi’s performances helped him earn a place in France’s 1978 World Cup squad in
Argentina at the end of that season.
Papi
would tragically pass away on January 28, 1983 aged just 33 due to an aneurysm
rupture.
November 23, 1977
S.E.C.
(Sporting Etoile Club) de Bastia (France) 2- Torino Calcio 1906
(Italy) 1
UEFA
Cup- Third Round, First Leg
Venue: Bastia-Stade Armand Cesari
(Stade de Furiani)
Attendance: 8,343
Referee: Heinz Aldinger (West Germany)
Goalscorers: (Bastia): Claude Papi 37th, Johnny Rep 62nd
(Torino):
Paolino Pulici 24th
Lineups:
Bastia:
1-Marc
Weller, 5-Andre Guesdon, 3-Jean-Louis Cazes, 4-Charles Orlanducci, 2-Paul
Marchioni, 10-Claude Papi, 6-Jean- François Larios, 8-Felix Lacuesta, 7-Johnny Rep (Holland),
11-Jean-Marie De Zerbi, 9-François Felix
Coach:
Pierre Cahuzac
Other
Substitutes:
Dominique
Murati (goalkeeper), Merry Krimau (Morocco), Jose Graziani, Pierre Mattei
Team
Captain: Charles Orlanducci
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Shirt
Sponsor:
Uniform
Colors: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks
Torino:
1-Luciano
Castellini, 2-Luigi Danova, 6-Vittorio Caporale, 3-Roberto Salvadori, 5-Roberto
Mozzini, 4-Patrizio Sala, 8-Eraldo Pecci, 7-Claudio Sala, 10-Cesare Butti,
9-Francesco Graziani, 11-Paolino Pulici
Coach:
Gigi Radice
Team
Captain: Claudio Sala
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer:
Shirt
Sponsor:
Uniform
Colors: White Shirts, Red (Granata) Shorts, Red (Granata) Socks
December 7, 1977
Torino Calcio 1906 (Italy) 2-S.E.C. (Sporting Etoile Club)
de Bastia (France) 3
UEFA
Cup- Third Round, Second Leg
Venue: Turin– Stadio Communale
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Clive Thomas (Wales)
Goalscorers: (Torino): Francesco
Graziani 22nd, 47th
(Bastia):
Jean- François Larios 19th, Merry Krimau 50th, 65th
Lineups:
Torino:
1-Luciano
Castellini (16- Giuliano Terraneo 51st), 2-Luigi Danova, 6-Vittorio
Caporale, 3-Roberto Salvadori, 5-Roberto Mozzini, 4-Patrizio Sala, 8-Eraldo
Pecci, 7-Claudio Sala, 10-Renato Zaccarelli (15-Fabrzio Gorin 28th),
9-Francesco Graziani, 11-Paolino Pulici
Coach:
Gigi Radice
Team
Captain: Claudio Sala
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer:
Shirt
Sponsor:
Uniform
Colors: Red (Granata) Shirts, Red (Granata) Shorts, Red (Granata) Socks
Bastia:
1-Marc
Weller, 5-Andre Gueson, 3-Jean-Louis Cazes, 4-Charles Orlanducci, 2-Paul
Marchioni, 10-Claude Papi, 6-Jean- François Larios, 8-Felix Lacuesta, 7-Johnny Rep (Holland),
11-Jean-Marie De Zerbi, 9-Merry Krimau (Morocco)
Coach:
Pierre Cahuzac
Booked:
Merry Krimau, Johnny Rep 55
Note:
Most sources only show Rep being booked
Team
Captain: Charles Orlanducci
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Shirt
Sponsor:
Uniform
Colors: Blue Shirts, White Shorts, Blue Socks
References:
Onze, Issue 24, December 1977
Mondial, old series, Issue 11, December1977
Mondial, old series, Issue 17, May 1978
France Football, Issue 1651, November 29, 1977
France Football, Issue 1653, December 13, 1977
L'Annee du Football, 1978
Le Livre d'Or du football, 1978, Author Charles Bietry
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