The feeling at Lazio's home ground was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had conceded 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Had their campaign falling apart, or did there exist any cohesion holding it together to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, before he to later acknowledge that the board had not mentioned a registration embargo they were about to receive for accounting issues. Rumours that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic during matches as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, it's been difficult to ascertain if progress is being made or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this season. He completed the last one on loan at Parma and, early this summer, Lazio were pushing for him to remain there temporarily. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived originally under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances with the club in the 2022-23 season, the vast majority of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Discovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to identify the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Labeled as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
