The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had allowed 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or was there ever a thread keeping it intact from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, only for him to later acknowledge that the club had omitted to inform him about a registration embargo they were facing for fiscal problems. Reports that he could resign were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy on the pitch as behind the scenes, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other initial five matches, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to determine if progress is being made or collapsing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Presence
A single player remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio during this campaign. He spent the last one on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his parent club were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to weaken their team with no new signings.
He joined originally during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in 2022-23, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, subsequently claimed 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 work out the nature of his skill set. Originally described as a wide forward when he joined, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
