The feeling at Lazio's home ground was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had let in a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Had their campaign falling apart, or was there ever any cohesion holding it together from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, before he admitted that the club had not mentioned a registration embargo they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Reports that he could resign were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club became as messy during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining initial five matches, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, it has been hard to determine if they are improving or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unexpected Return
One individual continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this season. He completed last season with Parma on loan and, early this summer, his parent club were advocating for him to extend his stay for another season. The signing restriction led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived initially under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances for Lazio in that campaign, all but one of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Finding His True Position
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to identify the exact type of the player's talent. Originally described as a wide forward when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
