The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had let in ten goals while netting just two in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Had their campaign coming unstitched, or did there exist a binding element keeping it intact from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, only for him publicly stated that the management had failed to disclose a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for fiscal problems. Rumours that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club became as messy on the pitch as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it has been hard to ascertain if they're getting better or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Return
One individual remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this year. He was on the previous campaign at Parma as a loanee and, early this summer, Lazio were attempting to extend his stay a while longer. The transfer ban forced a rethink. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster without replacements.
He signed originally during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league with the club in that campaign, all but one of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star only to bench him consistently."
Discovering His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to work out the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
