The mood at their home stadium was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had let in 10 goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign unraveling, or had there never been a binding element maintaining its structure from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as head coach in the summer transfer window, only for him admitted that the club had failed to disclose a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Speculation that he might quit were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy on the pitch as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it has been hard to determine if they are improving or self-destructing.
Matteo's Surprising Comeback
One individual kept smiling throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to feature for Lazio this season. He was on the previous campaign with Parma on loan and, early this summer, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. They were unable to reduce their roster without replacements.
He joined originally during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those from the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
Maybe Sarri was continuing to attempt to work out the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. Across 63 games on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
