The feeling at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had conceded 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or did there exist a thread keeping it intact to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, but then he publicly stated that the board had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Reports that he could resign were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy in their performances as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the rest of their opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, it's been difficult to determine if progress is being made or collapsing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Presence
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to feature for Lazio this year. He completed the previous campaign with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his owning club were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The signing restriction led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad with no new signings.
He joined initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances with the club in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to identify the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
