The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had let in a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Was Lazio's season coming unstitched, or had there never been a thread keeping it intact to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as head coach this summer, only for him admitted that the management had failed to disclose 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 stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio became as messy during matches as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their initial five matches, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, it's been difficult to determine if progress is being made or imploding.
Cancellieri's Unforeseen Return
One individual remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this season. He was on last season on loan at Parma and, early this summer, Lazio were pushing for him to stay there for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. The club couldn't risk to weaken their team without replacements.
He joined originally when Sarri was last in charge, then a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 matches in the league for Lazio in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Finding His Best Role
Maybe Sarri was still trying to determine 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 at No 9. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
