The atmosphere at their home stadium was far from happy on Saturday afternoon. The home side was losing against Torino, an opponent that had allowed a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or had there never been a thread holding it together to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, but then he publicly stated that the club had not mentioned a registration embargo they were facing for accounting issues. Reports that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other initial five matches, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if they are improving or imploding.
Matteo's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to be at Lazio this season. He was on the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were pushing for him to remain there for another season. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. They were unable to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He joined in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Finding His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was persistently working to work out the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Billed as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
