The atmosphere at Lazio's home ground was far from happy on Saturday afternoon. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had allowed ten goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or did there exist any cohesion holding it together in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, but then he to later acknowledge that the board had not mentioned a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Speculation that he could resign were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the rest of their opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to determine if they're getting better or imploding.
The Youngster's Unexpected Return
One individual kept smiling amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio this season. He was on the last one on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were pushing for him to stay there for another season. The transfer ban forced a rethink. The club couldn't risk to weaken their team lacking backup options.
He joined in the first place under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league with the club in the 2022-23 season, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was still trying to determine the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as a flank player on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
