The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had conceded a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign falling apart, or had there never been a thread holding it together to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, before he admitted that the management had not mentioned a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Rumours that he might quit were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic on the pitch as behind the scenes, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to determine if they're getting better or collapsing.
Matteo's Surprising Return
A single player remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to feature for Lazio this year. He spent last season on loan at Parma and, early this summer, Lazio were attempting to remain there for another season. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad lacking backup options.
He signed in the first place under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in the 2022-23 season, all but one of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His True Position
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to identify the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Originally described as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
