The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had conceded ten goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or did there exist a thread maintaining its structure to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, before he to later acknowledge that the management had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were facing for financial irregularities. Reports that he might quit were not true, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized in their performances as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to tell if they are improving or imploding.
Matteo's Surprising Return
A single player remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to feature for Lazio this year. He spent last season at Parma as a loanee and, early this summer, his owning club were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to reduce their roster without replacements.
He joined originally during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in that campaign, almost all of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His True Position
Maybe Sarri was still trying to identify the nature of his skill set. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
