The feeling at their home stadium was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had allowed ten goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or had there never been any cohesion holding it together in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, only for him admitted that the club had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Rumours that he might quit were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to tell if progress is being made or self-destructing.
Cancellieri's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio this year. He completed the last one at Parma as a loanee and, during the summer break, his owning club were pushing for him to extend his stay temporarily. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He signed initially when Sarri was last in charge, then a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Finding His True Position
It's possible the coach was persistently working to determine the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Labeled as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself the majority of that term as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
