The mood at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The home side was losing 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 wrapping up their latest protest in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or did there exist a thread maintaining its structure from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, but then he publicly stated that the management had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Rumours that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Roman club became as messy in their performances as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other first five games, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to determine if they're getting better or self-destructing.
Cancellieri's Surprising Presence
At least one man kept smiling amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this season. He spent the last one on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to extend his stay for another season. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to weaken their team with no new signings.
He joined originally during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in 2022-23, the vast majority of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Uncovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was persistently working to work out the exact type of the player's talent. Originally described as a flank player on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for the majority of that term as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
