The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, an opponent that had allowed ten goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Coming Unstitched?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or had there never been a binding element maintaining its structure from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, only for him admitted that the club had failed to disclose a registration embargo they were facing for financial irregularities. Rumours that he might quit were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic on the pitch as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to determine if they are improving or imploding.
Matteo's Surprising Comeback
One individual continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this year. He completed the last one on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his parent club were advocating for him to extend his stay for another season. The signing restriction led to a change of plans. They were unable to reduce their roster without replacements.
He signed originally during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances for Lazio in that campaign, almost all of those as a substitute. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Uncovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was still trying to identify the exact type of the player's talent. Originally described as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
