The feeling at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had allowed 10 goals while netting just two 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 unraveling, or had there never been a thread maintaining its structure from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, before he to later acknowledge that the board had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Reports that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "deceived" him.
Lazio became as messy on the pitch as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it has been hard to determine if they're getting better or imploding.
Cancellieri's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this season. He completed the previous campaign with Parma on loan and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were advocating for him to extend his stay for another season. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad with no new signings.
Cancellieri arrived originally under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances for Lazio in that campaign, the vast majority of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to work out the nature of his skill set. Labeled as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
