The mood at Lazio's home ground was far from happy on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had allowed a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season unraveling, or was there ever a binding element holding it together from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as head coach during the off-season, only for him publicly stated that the management had failed to disclose a registration embargo they were facing for fiscal problems. Rumours that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other initial five matches, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to determine if progress is being made or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Return
One individual kept smiling throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio this season. He was on the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were pushing for him to extend his stay temporarily. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad with no new signings.
He signed in the first place under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in the 2022-23 season, the vast majority of those from the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was still trying to identify the nature of his skill set. Billed as a flank player when he joined, Cancellieri yet was deployed for the majority of that term as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
