The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had conceded 10 goals while scoring only two in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Had their campaign falling apart, or did there exist a thread keeping it intact in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, but then he publicly stated that the club had omitted to inform him about a registration embargo they were about to receive for fiscal problems. Reports that he could resign were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "misled" him.
Lazio became as messy in their performances as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, it has been hard to ascertain if progress is being made or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Surprising Return
At least one man kept smiling throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this year. He spent last season at Parma as a loanee and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to extend his stay for another season. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He joined initially during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league with the club in 2022-23, all but one of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Finding His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was still trying to determine the nature of the player's talent. Originally described as a flank player when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma in the past two years, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
