The feeling at Lazio's home ground was far from happy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had allowed 10 goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or had there never been a binding element keeping it intact to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, before he publicly stated that the board had not mentioned a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Reports that he could resign were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic in their performances as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the rest of their opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, it has been hard to ascertain if they are improving or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Unforeseen Presence
At least one man kept smiling amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio this season. He completed last season with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his parent club were pushing for him to remain there for another season. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad with no new signings.
He signed in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in 2022-23, the vast majority of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Finding His Best Role
It's possible the coach was still trying to determine the nature of the player's talent. Originally described as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
