The feeling at Lazio's home ground was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had let in ten goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Coming Unstitched?
Was Lazio's season coming unstitched, or did there exist any cohesion keeping it intact in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as head coach this summer, but then he admitted that the board had not mentioned the transfer ban they were about to receive for fiscal problems. Reports that he could resign were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio became as messy in their performances as behind the scenes, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, it's been difficult to ascertain if they're getting better or imploding.
Matteo's Surprising Presence
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this season. He completed last season with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his parent club were advocating for him to extend his stay temporarily. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad with no new signings.
He joined originally during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 matches in the league with the club in that campaign, the vast majority of those from the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Finding His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to work out the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
