The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had conceded 10 goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or was there ever any cohesion maintaining its structure in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, only for him admitted that the club had not mentioned a registration embargo they were about to receive for fiscal problems. Speculation that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic on the pitch as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it has been hard to determine if they are improving or collapsing.
The Youngster's Surprising Comeback
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to feature for Lazio this year. He spent last season on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there temporarily. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to weaken their team without replacements.
Cancellieri arrived in the first place under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, almost all of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, later stated Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Finding His Natural Fit
Maybe Sarri was continuing to attempt to determine the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Labeled as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
