The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had allowed a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or did there exist a binding element holding it together in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as head coach during the off-season, only for him admitted that the club had not mentioned a registration embargo they were facing for financial irregularities. Speculation that his departure was imminent were not true, but he did say that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Roman club became as messy during matches as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining first five games, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to ascertain if they're getting better or imploding.
Cancellieri's Unexpected Presence
A single player remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this year. He spent the last one with Parma on loan and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were pushing for him to extend his stay temporarily. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to weaken their team lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived originally during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances for Lazio in 2022-23, all but one of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was still trying to identify the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as a wide forward when he joined, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
