The feeling at their home stadium was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had allowed a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or was there ever any cohesion holding it together in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as head coach this summer, but then he publicly stated that the club had not mentioned the transfer ban they were about to receive for fiscal problems. Reports that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized during matches as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining first five games, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it has been hard to ascertain if progress is being made or imploding.
Cancellieri's Surprising Return
At least one man kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio during this campaign. He spent the last one with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to extend his stay temporarily. The transfer ban forced a rethink. The club couldn't risk to weaken their team with no new signings.
He joined originally when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in the 2022-23 season, all but one of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Finding His True Position
Maybe Sarri was continuing to attempt to identify the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Billed as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
