The feeling at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had allowed 10 goals while netting just two in their previous five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season unraveling, or had there never been any cohesion holding it together from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, but then he publicly stated that the club had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were facing for financial irregularities. Rumours that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Roman club were just as chaotic in their performances as behind the scenes, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, it has been hard to tell if they are improving or imploding.
Matteo's Unforeseen Presence
A single player remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to feature for Lazio during this campaign. He spent the last one with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to extend his stay temporarily. The registration embargo forced a rethink. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad without replacements.
He signed in the first place under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances with the club in the 2022-23 season, almost all of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Discovering His True Position
Maybe Sarri was still trying to determine the nature of the player's talent. Billed as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for the majority of that term as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
