The feeling at Lazio's home ground was far from happy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had let in ten goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or was there ever any cohesion keeping it intact in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, only for him publicly stated that the club had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Speculation that his departure was imminent were not true, but he stated that Lotito had "misled" him.
Lazio appeared equally disorganized in their performances as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other initial five matches, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to determine if progress is being made or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unexpected Return
One individual remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this year. He completed the last one on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, his parent club were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster without replacements.
Cancellieri arrived originally when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league for Lazio in that campaign, almost all of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Finding His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to identify the exact type of his skill set. Originally described as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
