The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, an opponent that had let in a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or was there ever a thread holding it together from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, before he admitted that the club had not mentioned the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Reports that he might quit were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic during matches as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other first five games, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, observers have struggled to tell if progress is being made or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Surprising Comeback
One individual remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this season. He was on the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, his owning club were pushing for him to extend his stay for another season. The transfer ban forced a rethink. They were unable to thin their squad without replacements.
Cancellieri arrived initially under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 Serie A appearances for Lazio in 2022-23, almost all of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Finding His True Position
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to work out the nature of the player's talent. Billed as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
