The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had allowed a total of 10 goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or was there ever a thread holding it together from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, but then he publicly stated that the club had not mentioned the transfer ban they were facing for financial irregularities. Reports that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic in their performances as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the remaining initial five matches, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it has been hard to determine if they're getting better or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Return
One individual remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to be at Lazio this season. He was on the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, his owning club were pushing for him to extend his stay temporarily. The transfer ban forced a rethink. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster with no new signings.
Cancellieri arrived originally under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances with the club in the 2022-23 season, all but one of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to identify the specific characteristics of his skill set. Labeled as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. Across 63 games on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
