The mood at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had let in 10 goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Was Lazio's season coming unstitched, or had there never been any cohesion keeping it intact in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, but then he to later acknowledge that the management had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were about to receive for accounting issues. Rumours that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the remaining first five games, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, it has been hard to tell if they are improving or imploding.
The Youngster's Unforeseen Return
A single player continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this year. He completed the previous campaign at Parma as a loanee and, during the summer break, his parent club were attempting to stay there temporarily. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad without replacements.
He joined in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances with the club in 2022-23, almost all of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Finding His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to work out the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
