The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had conceded ten goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or did there exist any cohesion holding it together in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, but then he publicly stated that the management had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were about to receive for accounting issues. Rumours that he might quit were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club became as messy during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other initial five matches, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, observers have struggled to tell if progress is being made or collapsing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Return
A single player kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to be at Lazio during this campaign. He was on last season on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his owning club were attempting to stay there for another season. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived initially under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to determine the nature of his skill set. Billed as a wide forward when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
