The atmosphere at Lazio's home ground was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had allowed a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or had there never been a binding element holding it together in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, only for him publicly stated that the board had not mentioned a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Rumours that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic in their performances as behind the scenes, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it has been hard to determine if they're getting better or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Presence
At least one man continued to smile through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to be at Lazio this year. He completed last season at Parma as a loanee and, early this summer, Lazio were attempting to extend his stay for another season. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. They were unable to thin their squad lacking backup options.
He signed originally during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He made 20 matches in the league with the club in the 2022-23 season, almost all of those from the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Finding His Natural Fit
Maybe Sarri was persistently working to work out the nature of the player's talent. Billed as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
