The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had conceded ten goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or did there exist a thread maintaining its structure to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as head coach this summer, before he admitted that the board had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Speculation that he could resign were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized during matches as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other initial five matches, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if progress is being made or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Surprising Presence
A single player remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He spent the previous campaign with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his owning club were attempting to remain there a while longer. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad lacking backup options.
He joined originally when Sarri was last in charge, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in the 2022-23 season, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Uncovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to work out the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. Across 63 games during spells with Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
