The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had let in ten goals while netting just two in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign unraveling, or was there ever a binding element maintaining its structure in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, before he to later acknowledge that the board had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were facing for financial irregularities. Rumours that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized in their performances as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the remaining first five games, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it has been hard to ascertain if they are improving or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unexpected Presence
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to be at Lazio this year. He completed last season with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to remain there for another season. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster without replacements.
He signed originally under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 league appearances for Lazio in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Finding His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to work out the exact type of his skill set. Originally described as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for the majority of that term as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
