The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had let in 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or had there never been any cohesion holding it together to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, only for him to later acknowledge that the club had not mentioned the transfer ban they were facing for financial irregularities. Speculation that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic during matches as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, observers have struggled to tell if progress is being made or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Unforeseen Comeback
At least one man remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this season. He was on the last one with Parma on loan and, at the start of the off-season, his parent club were attempting to stay there a while longer. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team without replacements.
He signed initially under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances for Lazio in the 2022-23 season, the vast majority of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Uncovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was still trying to identify the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for the majority of that term as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
