The feeling at Lazio's home ground was far from happy this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had let in 10 goals while netting just two in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or had there never been a binding element keeping it intact in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, only for him admitted that the club had not mentioned the transfer ban they were about to receive for fiscal problems. Reports that he could resign were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized during matches as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, it has been hard to tell if progress is being made or self-destructing.
Cancellieri's Surprising Comeback
A single player remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio this year. He spent last season with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his parent club were pushing for him to remain there temporarily. The signing restriction forced a rethink. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad without replacements.
He signed initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances for Lazio in 2022-23, the vast majority of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Discovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to work out the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. Across 63 games during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
