The feeling at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, an opponent that had let in a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or was there ever a binding element holding it together to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, only for him admitted that the board had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were about to receive for accounting issues. Rumours that he might quit were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club became as messy on the pitch as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the rest of their opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it's been difficult to tell if they're getting better or imploding.
Matteo's Surprising Comeback
One individual remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He completed the previous campaign at Parma as a loanee and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were pushing for him to remain there temporarily. The transfer ban forced a rethink. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster without replacements.
He signed in the first place when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances for Lazio in the 2022-23 season, all but one of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom only to bench him consistently."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to determine the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Labeled as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
