The feeling at Lazio's home ground was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had let in ten goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their ongoing dissent in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign falling apart, or did there exist any cohesion keeping it intact to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, before he publicly stated that the club had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Speculation that he could resign were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic on the pitch as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the remaining first five games, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it's been difficult to tell if they are improving or self-destructing.
Cancellieri's Unforeseen Comeback
A single player continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to feature for Lazio this year. He completed last season with Parma on loan and, early this summer, Lazio were attempting to stay there temporarily. The signing restriction forced a rethink. They were unable to reduce their roster without replacements.
He signed originally when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league with the club in the 2022-23 season, the vast majority of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to determine the specific characteristics of his skill set. Labeled as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
