The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, an opponent that had conceded 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season unraveling, or had there never been a thread holding it together from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as head coach in the summer transfer window, before he publicly stated that the management had omitted to inform him about a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Reports that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic during matches as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, it's been difficult to tell if they are improving or self-destructing.
Matteo's Surprising Return
At least one man remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this season. He spent the last one with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his owning club were attempting to extend his stay temporarily. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster without replacements.
He signed initially when Sarri was last in charge, then a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in the 2022-23 season, almost all of those as a substitute. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
Maybe Sarri was continuing to attempt to work out the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
