The atmosphere at Lazio's home ground was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had allowed a total of 10 goals while scoring only two in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Had their campaign falling apart, or had there never been a binding element holding it together in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as head coach this summer, only for him publicly stated that the management had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Speculation that he could resign were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized in their performances as behind the scenes, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to determine if progress is being made or collapsing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Presence
At least one man kept smiling throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this season. He completed last season on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were advocating for him to extend his stay temporarily. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. The club couldn't risk to weaken their team without replacements.
He joined originally during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Discovering His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to determine the exact type of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
