The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had allowed a total of 10 goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season unraveling, or was there ever a binding element keeping it intact in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, before he publicly stated that the club had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were facing for financial irregularities. Rumours that he could resign were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic in their performances as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their initial five matches, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to tell if they're getting better or imploding.
Cancellieri's Unexpected Presence
A single player continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this year. He was on last season at Parma as a loanee and, during the summer break, his parent club were attempting to extend his stay a while longer. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to weaken their team lacking backup options.
He signed in the first place when Sarri was last in charge, then a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in 2022-23, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star only to bench him consistently."
Uncovering His Best Role
Maybe Sarri was still trying to determine the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma in the past two years, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
