The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy on Saturday afternoon. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had let in a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Had their campaign falling apart, or was there ever a binding element keeping it intact to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as head coach during the off-season, but then he publicly stated that the club had not mentioned a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Rumours that he could resign were not true, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club became as messy in their performances as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, it's been difficult to determine if they are improving or collapsing.
Matteo's Unexpected Presence
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this season. He spent last season on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He signed in the first place under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those coming off the bench. Their former 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."
Uncovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was persistently working to identify the exact type of the player's talent. Billed as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
