The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had let in a total of 10 goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or was there ever a binding element keeping it intact from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, but then he publicly stated that the board had not mentioned the transfer ban they were about to receive for accounting issues. Reports that he might quit were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "misled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic on the pitch as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to tell if progress is being made or imploding.
Matteo's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this year. He spent the last one with Parma on loan and, at the start of the off-season, his owning club were advocating for him to stay there for another season. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to weaken their team lacking backup options.
He signed originally during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Finding His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to identify the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
