The mood at Lazio's home ground was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had conceded ten goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Had their campaign unraveling, or did there exist a thread keeping it intact to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, but then he admitted that the management had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were facing for fiscal problems. Speculation that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy on the pitch as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to tell if they are improving or collapsing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Presence
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to be at Lazio during this campaign. He spent last season with Parma on loan and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were pushing for him to stay there temporarily. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He signed initially during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He made 20 matches in the league with the club in that campaign, the vast majority of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to work out the nature of the player's talent. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
