The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had let in ten goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or had there never been any cohesion maintaining its structure from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, only for him to later acknowledge that the board had not mentioned the transfer ban they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Reports that he could resign were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic during matches as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to tell if they are improving or imploding.
The Youngster's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to be at Lazio this year. He was on last season on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there temporarily. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad without replacements.
Cancellieri arrived originally when Sarri was last in charge, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances for Lazio in 2022-23, almost all of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Uncovering His True Position
It's possible the coach was still trying to work out the nature of his skill set. Originally described as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
