The mood at their home stadium was anything but joyful during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had conceded 10 goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Had their campaign falling apart, or was there ever a thread keeping it intact to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, before he admitted that the club had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were about to receive for fiscal problems. Reports that he could resign were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic during matches as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, it's been difficult to ascertain if they are improving or collapsing.
The Youngster's Surprising Return
One individual remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this season. He completed the last one with Parma on loan and, early this summer, his owning club were pushing for him to remain there a while longer. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to weaken their team with no new signings.
He signed in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Uncovering His True Position
Perhaps the manager was still trying to determine the exact type of the player's talent. Originally described as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
