The atmosphere at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had let in 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or did there exist any cohesion maintaining its structure in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, before he publicly stated that the club had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were facing for financial irregularities. Speculation that he might quit were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
Lazio became as messy on the pitch as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to ascertain if they're getting better or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unexpected Comeback
A single player remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to feature for Lazio this year. He completed the last one at Parma as a loanee and, at the start of the off-season, his owning club were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team with no new signings.
He signed initially during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, almost all of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Best Role
Maybe Sarri was still trying to determine the exact type of his skill set. Billed as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
