The feeling at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had conceded 10 goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Coming Unstitched?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or had there never been a thread holding it together in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, but then he admitted that the board had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were about to receive for fiscal problems. Rumours that he could resign were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio became as messy on the pitch as behind the scenes, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their initial five matches, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it has been hard to determine if they're getting better or imploding.
Matteo's Unexpected Presence
At least one man kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this season. He was on the last one with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his parent club were attempting to extend his stay for another season. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team without replacements.
He joined in the first place when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances for Lazio in the 2022-23 season, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Finding His True Position
Maybe Sarri was continuing to attempt to identify the exact type of the player's talent. Originally described as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
