The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. Lazio were trailing against Torino, an opponent that had conceded ten goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Had their campaign falling apart, or had there never been a binding element maintaining its structure in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, before he publicly stated that the board had not mentioned the transfer ban they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Reports that he might quit were not true, but he stated that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Roman club became as messy during matches as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other initial five matches, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if they are improving or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Presence
One individual continued to smile amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this season. He completed last season on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there for another season. The transfer ban forced a rethink. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad with no new signings.
He joined in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league with the club in that campaign, all but one of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Finding His Natural Fit
Maybe Sarri was still trying to identify the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
