The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had conceded 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 ongoing dissent in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season unraveling, or was there ever any cohesion keeping it intact from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, only for him publicly stated that the board had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were facing for fiscal problems. Reports that he might quit were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio appeared equally disorganized during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining first five games, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to determine if progress is being made or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Presence
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to be at Lazio this season. He was on last season on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, his parent club were attempting to remain there a while longer. The transfer ban forced a rethink. They were unable to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He joined initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances with the club in 2022-23, almost all of those as a substitute. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to work out the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
