The atmosphere at Lazio's home ground was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had let in ten goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Coming Unstitched?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or had there never been any cohesion holding it together in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, but then he publicly stated that the management had not mentioned the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Rumours that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio appeared equally disorganized in their performances as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, it's been difficult to determine if they are improving or collapsing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Comeback
At least one man kept smiling throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to feature for Lazio this year. He was on the last one on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, his parent club were attempting to extend his stay temporarily. The signing restriction forced a rethink. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He joined originally when Sarri was last in charge, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances with the club in 2022-23, the vast majority of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Finding His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was persistently working to work out the exact type of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
