The mood at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had let in 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their ongoing dissent in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or did there exist a binding element holding it together to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, only for him publicly stated that the management had not mentioned a registration embargo they were about to receive for accounting issues. Reports that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic in their performances as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the rest of their initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, it's been difficult to determine if they are improving or self-destructing.
Matteo's Surprising Return
A single player remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to be at Lazio during this campaign. He spent the previous campaign with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his owning club were attempting to remain there for another season. The signing restriction led to a change of plans. They were unable to thin their squad without replacements.
He signed originally during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances with the club in the 2022-23 season, all but one of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Discovering His True Position
Maybe Sarri was continuing to attempt to determine the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
