The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had let in ten goals while scoring only two in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their ongoing dissent in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or was there ever a thread holding it together from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, but then he publicly stated that the management had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were facing for accounting issues. Rumours that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to tell if they are improving or imploding.
Matteo's Surprising Comeback
One individual remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to be at Lazio this season. He spent the last one on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to remain there a while longer. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to weaken their team without replacements.
Cancellieri arrived in the first place under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those as a substitute. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His True Position
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to work out the exact type of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for the majority of that term as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
