The atmosphere at Lazio's home ground was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, an opponent that had allowed 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season unraveling, or was there ever a thread maintaining its structure to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, only for him to later acknowledge that the board had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Speculation that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining first five games, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to determine if progress is being made or collapsing.
The Youngster's Unforeseen Comeback
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio this season. He spent the last one with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there temporarily. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to reduce their roster without replacements.
Cancellieri arrived in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those as a substitute. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended following that term, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom only to bench him consistently."
Uncovering His Best Role
Maybe Sarri was still trying to identify the nature of the player's talent. Labeled as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
