The atmosphere at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had allowed 10 goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season unraveling, or had there never been a thread keeping it intact to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as head coach in the summer transfer window, but then he to later acknowledge that the club had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were facing for fiscal problems. Speculation that he could resign were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club were just as chaotic in their performances as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other initial five matches, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to determine if they're getting better or imploding.
Matteo's Unexpected Presence
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He was on last season at Parma as a loanee and, during the summer break, Lazio were pushing for him to extend his stay temporarily. The signing restriction led to a change of plans. They were unable to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He signed initially under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
Maybe Sarri was continuing to attempt to work out the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
