The mood at their home stadium was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had conceded 10 goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or was there ever a binding element keeping it intact to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, before he publicly stated that the club had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Reports that he could resign were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club became as messy in their performances as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other first five games, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, observers have struggled to ascertain if progress is being made or collapsing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Presence
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this year. He was on the last one at Parma as a loanee and, during the summer break, his owning club were attempting to stay there temporarily. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He signed originally during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 Serie A appearances with the club in that campaign, the vast majority of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Uncovering His True Position
It's possible the coach was persistently working to determine the specific characteristics of his skill set. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for the majority of that term as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
