The mood at their home stadium was anything but joyful this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had conceded ten goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Was Lazio's season coming unstitched, or did there exist any cohesion maintaining its structure in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, but then he admitted 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 not true, but he acknowledged 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 being defeated in the remaining opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to tell if they're getting better or imploding.
The Youngster's Unexpected Presence
At least one man kept smiling amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this year. He spent last season with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his owning club were attempting to stay there for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team lacking backup options.
He signed in the first place when Sarri was last in charge, then a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances with the club in that campaign, almost all of those as a substitute. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Finding His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to determine the nature of the player's talent. Originally described as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
