The mood at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had conceded ten goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Had their campaign falling apart, or was there ever a thread maintaining its structure from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, but then he to later acknowledge that the management had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for fiscal problems. Speculation that he could resign were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, it has been hard to ascertain if they're getting better or imploding.
Matteo's Unexpected Return
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this year. He was on the previous campaign with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his owning club were advocating for him to remain there for another season. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team with no new signings.
He joined initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league with the club in the 2022-23 season, almost all of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, later stated Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Uncovering His True Position
It's possible the coach was still trying to determine the specific characteristics of his skill set. Billed as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
