The atmosphere at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had let in 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or did there exist a thread maintaining its structure from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, but then he admitted that the club had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were facing for financial irregularities. Reports that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio became as messy in their performances as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their first five games, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it's been difficult to ascertain if they're getting better or imploding.
Matteo's Unforeseen Comeback
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this season. He spent the last one with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to weaken their team lacking backup options.
He signed originally when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 matches in the league for Lazio in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Finding His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to identify the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
