The atmosphere at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had let in ten goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Had their campaign falling apart, or did there exist a binding element keeping it intact in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, before he publicly stated that the club had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for fiscal problems. Rumours that his departure was imminent were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Roman club were just as chaotic in their performances as behind the scenes, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, it's been difficult to ascertain if they are improving or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Comeback
A single player kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to feature for Lazio this year. He completed last season on loan at Parma and, early this summer, Lazio were pushing for him to remain there temporarily. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster without replacements.
He signed in the first place under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances with the club in 2022-23, almost all of those from the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Discovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was still trying to determine the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
