The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy on Saturday afternoon. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had let in a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Had their campaign falling apart, or was there ever a binding element maintaining its structure to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, before he publicly stated that the board had failed to disclose a registration embargo they were about to receive for accounting issues. Reports that he could resign were not true, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic during matches as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other initial five matches, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to ascertain if they are improving or imploding.
Matteo's Surprising Comeback
One individual kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio during this campaign. He completed last season on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were attempting to extend his stay temporarily. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team with no new signings.
He joined initially under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in the 2022-23 season, the vast majority of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Finding His True Position
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to identify the nature of the player's talent. Billed as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
