The atmosphere at their home stadium was anything but joyful during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, an opponent that had conceded a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign falling apart, or was there ever a binding element keeping it intact from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, but then he admitted that the club had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Reports that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio appeared equally disorganized during matches as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining first five games, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it has been hard to determine if they are improving or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Unforeseen Presence
One individual continued to smile through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio during this campaign. He completed last season on loan at Parma and, early this summer, Lazio were pushing for him to stay there for another season. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad without replacements.
He signed in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league 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, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Natural Fit
Maybe Sarri was continuing to attempt to determine the nature of his skill set. Billed as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
