The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had let in a total of 10 goals while scoring only two in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.
A Season Coming Unstitched?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or had there never been any cohesion keeping it intact to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as head coach this summer, but then he admitted that the club had omitted to inform him about a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Reports that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their first five games, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it has been hard to ascertain if they're getting better or collapsing.
Matteo's Unexpected Presence
One individual kept smiling throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio this season. He completed the last one at Parma as a loanee and, at the start of the off-season, his owning club were attempting to remain there a while longer. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to weaken their team with no new signings.
Cancellieri arrived initially during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He made 20 matches in the league for Lazio in 2022-23, almost all of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Uncovering His Best Role
Maybe Sarri was persistently working to identify the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
