The mood at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had conceded a total of 10 goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or was there ever a thread keeping it intact from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, only for him publicly stated that the club had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were facing for accounting issues. Reports that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic on the pitch as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other first five games, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it has been hard to determine if progress is being made or imploding.
Matteo's Surprising Presence
At least one man remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to be at Lazio this season. He spent last season with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his parent club were advocating for him to extend his stay a while longer. The signing restriction led to a change of plans. They were unable to reduce their roster without replacements.
He signed initially when Sarri was last in charge, at that time a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, almost all of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His True Position
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to work out the nature of the player's talent. Originally described 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. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
