The feeling at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had allowed ten goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Had their campaign unraveling, or had there never been a binding element holding it together in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, but then he publicly stated that the club had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Rumours that he might quit were not true, but he did say that Lotito had "deceived" him.
Lazio appeared equally disorganized during matches as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the remaining opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, observers have struggled to tell if they're getting better or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Surprising Return
A single player continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this year. He spent the last one with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to extend his stay a while longer. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad without replacements.
Cancellieri arrived originally under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league for Lazio in 2022-23, all but one of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Finding His Natural Fit
Maybe Sarri was still trying to determine the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as a wide forward when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
