The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had let in 10 goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign falling apart, or was there ever a binding element keeping it intact to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as head coach this summer, but then he admitted that the board had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were facing for financial irregularities. Rumours that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio became as messy during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining first five games, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to ascertain if they are improving or imploding.
Cancellieri's Surprising Return
At least one man kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this year. He spent the last one at Parma as a loanee and, during the summer break, Lazio were pushing for him to remain there for another season. The transfer ban forced a rethink. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team with no new signings.
He joined in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances with the club in 2022-23, all but one of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was still trying to work out the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as a flank player on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
