The feeling at Lazio's home ground was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had allowed 10 goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or had there never been any cohesion keeping it intact to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as head coach this summer, before he admitted that the management had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Rumours that he could resign were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic in their performances as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their initial five matches, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it has been hard to ascertain if progress is being made or collapsing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Return
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio during this campaign. He was on the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, his parent club were advocating for him to stay there temporarily. The signing restriction forced a rethink. They were unable to thin their squad without replacements.
Cancellieri arrived in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those as a substitute. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Uncovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was still trying to determine the nature of the player's talent. Originally described as a flank player when he joined, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. Across 63 games on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
