The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had conceded a total of 10 goals while scoring only two in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a continuous dispute with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Was Lazio's season unraveling, or did there exist any cohesion keeping it intact in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, only for him admitted that the management had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were about to receive for accounting issues. Reports that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic in their performances as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if they're getting better or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Presence
At least one man continued to smile through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to be at Lazio this year. He completed last season with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to extend his stay a while longer. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team without replacements.
Cancellieri arrived in the first place when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, almost all of those as a substitute. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star but then not selecting him."
Finding His True Position
Maybe Sarri was still trying to identify the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
