The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had conceded 10 goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or had there never been any cohesion keeping it intact in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, but then he admitted that the management had not mentioned a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Speculation that he could resign were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
Lazio appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, it has been hard to tell if they are improving or imploding.
Cancellieri's Unforeseen Presence
At least one man remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to be at Lazio this year. He completed last season at Parma as a loanee and, early this summer, his parent club were advocating for him to extend his stay temporarily. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to thin their squad lacking backup options.
He signed initially during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances for Lazio in that campaign, almost all of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was still trying to work out the nature of the player's talent. Billed as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
