The feeling at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, an opponent that had let in a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Had their campaign falling apart, or had there never been any cohesion keeping it intact in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, only for him publicly stated that the board had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Reports that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic on the pitch as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to determine if they're getting better or collapsing.
Matteo's Surprising Comeback
One individual remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this year. He was on the previous campaign with Parma on loan and, early this summer, Lazio were attempting to extend his stay for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He joined initially when Sarri was last in charge, then a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 league appearances for Lazio in that campaign, the vast majority of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom only to bench him consistently."
Discovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to identify the exact type of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma in the past two years, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
