The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, a team that had conceded 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
A Season Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign unraveling, or was there ever any cohesion holding it together in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, only for him admitted that the management had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Reports that his departure was imminent were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy during matches as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other initial five matches, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to determine if they're getting better or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Comeback
At least one man continued to smile amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this year. He spent last season with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to remain there for another season. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad with no new signings.
He joined initially when Sarri was last in charge, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in the 2022-23 season, all but one of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star only to bench him consistently."
Discovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to determine the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
