The atmosphere at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had allowed 10 goals while netting just two in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Had their campaign falling apart, or had there never been a binding element keeping it intact from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, only for him to later acknowledge that the club had failed to disclose a registration embargo they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Reports that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic during matches as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their first five games, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it has been hard to ascertain if they are improving or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man continued to smile through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this season. He was on the last one with Parma on loan and, early this summer, his owning club were pushing for him to stay there for another season. The transfer ban forced a rethink. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team with no new signings.
Cancellieri arrived initially when Sarri was last in charge, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Uncovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was persistently working to work out the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
