The feeling at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had allowed a total of 10 goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign falling apart, or did there exist any cohesion keeping it intact from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, only for him to later acknowledge that the club had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were facing for fiscal problems. Speculation that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic during matches as behind the scenes, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining initial five matches, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, observers have struggled to ascertain if they're getting better or collapsing.
Matteo's Unexpected Return
One individual remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this year. He spent the last one with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his owning club were advocating for him to extend his stay temporarily. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to thin their squad without replacements.
He signed in the first place when Sarri was last in charge, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances with the club in that campaign, all but one of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Uncovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to determine the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
