The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, an opponent that had conceded ten goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Had their campaign falling apart, or had there never been a thread keeping it intact in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as head coach during the off-season, only for him publicly stated that the management had omitted to inform him about a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Speculation that he could resign were not true, but he did say that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic on the pitch as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the remaining opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, observers have struggled to tell if they're getting better or collapsing.
Matteo's Unexpected Return
At least one man continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this year. He was on last season at Parma as a loanee and, early this summer, his parent club were pushing for him to remain there for another season. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He signed initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in the 2022-23 season, all but one of those from the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended following that term, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Finding His True Position
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to work out the exact type of his skill set. Originally described as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
