The atmosphere at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had conceded a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or did there exist any cohesion maintaining its structure in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, only for him admitted that the club had not mentioned the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Reports that he could resign were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio became as messy in their performances as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other first five games, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, observers have struggled to tell if they are improving or imploding.
Matteo's Surprising Return
A single player remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio during this campaign. He completed the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to extend his stay for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to thin their squad lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived originally during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Discovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was still trying to determine the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Labeled as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
