The atmosphere at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had let in a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign coming unstitched, or did there exist a binding element keeping it intact in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as head coach this summer, but then he admitted that the club had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were facing for accounting issues. Speculation that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to ascertain if they're getting better or imploding.
Cancellieri's Surprising Presence
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to feature for Lazio this year. He completed the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, early this summer, Lazio were attempting to remain there temporarily. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad lacking backup options.
He joined in the first place when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Discovering His True Position
It's possible the coach was still trying to work out the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Originally described as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
