The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, an opponent that had let in a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Had their campaign falling apart, or had there never been any cohesion keeping it intact from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, before he publicly stated that the club had failed to disclose a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Rumours that he might quit were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic in their performances as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. From one game to the next, it has been hard to tell if they're getting better or collapsing.
Matteo's Unexpected Presence
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to be at Lazio this year. He completed the last one on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to extend his stay for another season. The signing restriction forced a rethink. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad without replacements.
Cancellieri arrived originally when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 matches in the league with the club in 2022-23, almost all of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star only to bench him consistently."
Discovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was still trying to identify the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Originally described as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
