The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had allowed 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Had their campaign falling apart, or did there exist a thread keeping it intact from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, only for him to later acknowledge that the management had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were facing for accounting issues. Rumours that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "misled" him.
Lazio became as messy during matches as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other initial five matches, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it has been hard to tell if progress is being made or collapsing.
The Youngster's Unforeseen Return
At least one man continued to smile amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this season. He spent last season on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived originally during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances with the club in 2022-23, all but one of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His True Position
It's possible the coach was still trying to work out the nature of the player's talent. Billed as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
