The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing 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 ongoing dissent in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or was there ever a thread holding it together to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, only for him admitted that the management had not mentioned the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for fiscal problems. Reports that he might quit were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy during matches as behind the scenes, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining first five games, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, it's been difficult to determine if progress is being made or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Unforeseen Presence
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He spent the last one at Parma as a loanee and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The transfer ban forced a rethink. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He signed originally under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances for Lazio in 2022-23, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was still trying to identify the specific characteristics of his skill set. Billed as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
