The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had let in ten goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Coming Unstitched?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or was there ever a thread maintaining its structure from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, before he to later acknowledge that the club had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for fiscal problems. Rumours that his departure was imminent were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio appeared equally disorganized during matches as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. From one game to the next, it has been hard to determine if they're getting better or imploding.
Matteo's Surprising Comeback
One individual continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this season. He completed the previous campaign with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to stay there for another season. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad lacking backup options.
He signed originally under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in 2022-23, almost all of those as a substitute. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, later stated Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Discovering His True Position
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to identify the nature of the player's talent. Billed as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. Across 63 games on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
