The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had conceded ten 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 club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Had their campaign falling apart, or had there never been any cohesion keeping it intact in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, before he to later acknowledge that the management had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were facing for financial irregularities. Reports that he could resign were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized during matches as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the remaining first five games, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to determine if they're getting better or self-destructing.
Matteo's Surprising Return
One individual remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this season. He spent last season with Parma on loan and, early this summer, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He signed originally under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league for Lazio in 2022-23, almost all of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri would be a star only to bench him consistently."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was still trying to work out the nature of his skill set. Billed as a flank player when he joined, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. Across 63 games during spells with Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
