The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had allowed a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or had there never been a thread maintaining its structure in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, but then he publicly stated that the club had not mentioned the transfer ban they were about to receive for accounting issues. Speculation that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining initial five matches, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, observers have struggled to determine if they're getting better or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He spent the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his parent club were pushing for him to remain there temporarily. The signing restriction led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He joined initially under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri would be a star but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to work out the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Originally described as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
