The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had let in 10 goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or was there ever a thread holding it together to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, before he publicly stated that the board had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were facing for financial irregularities. Rumours that he might quit were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their first five games, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if they're getting better or collapsing.
Matteo's Unexpected Return
One individual continued to smile through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this season. He was on the last one on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his parent club were pushing for him to remain there temporarily. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to thin their squad lacking backup options.
He joined in the first place under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in the 2022-23 season, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star but then not selecting him."
Finding His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to determine the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
