The atmosphere at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy on Saturday afternoon. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had conceded a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or was there ever any cohesion holding it together from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, only for him to later acknowledge that the management had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Rumours that he might quit were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic in their performances as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the remaining first five games, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if progress is being made or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Surprising Return
At least one man kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio this season. He completed last season with Parma on loan and, early this summer, Lazio were attempting to extend his stay a while longer. The registration embargo forced a rethink. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team lacking backup options.
He joined initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those as a substitute. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was still trying to work out the exact type of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as a flank player on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
