The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had let in ten goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Coming Unstitched?
Was Lazio's season coming unstitched, or had there never been a thread holding it together from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, but then he publicly stated that the club had not mentioned the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Rumours that he could resign were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Roman club were just as chaotic in their performances as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it's been difficult to ascertain if they are improving or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Surprising Comeback
One individual remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to be at Lazio this season. He was on the last one with Parma on loan and, early this summer, his owning club were attempting to stay there for another season. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad without replacements.
He joined in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom only to bench him consistently."
Finding His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to identify the exact type of his skill set. Labeled as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
