The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had let in 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or had there never been a thread maintaining its structure in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, but then he to later acknowledge that the management had not mentioned the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Reports that he might quit were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other initial five matches, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, observers have struggled to tell if they are improving or imploding.
The Youngster's Unforeseen Comeback
One individual remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this season. He completed last season at Parma as a loanee and, early this summer, Lazio were pushing for him to stay there temporarily. The signing restriction led to a change of plans. They were unable to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star only to bench him consistently."
Discovering His True Position
It's possible the coach was still trying to identify the nature of his skill set. Billed as a flank player on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
