The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had conceded a total of 10 goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or had there never been any cohesion holding it together in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, but then he publicly stated that the board had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were about to receive for accounting issues. Speculation that he could resign were not true, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic in their performances as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it has been hard to ascertain if they're getting better or imploding.
The Youngster's Surprising Return
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio during this campaign. He completed last season at Parma as a loanee and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were attempting to remain there for another season. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He signed initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances with the club in 2022-23, almost all of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Discovering His True Position
Perhaps the manager was still trying to identify the nature of the player's talent. Billed as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
