The feeling at Lazio's home ground was far from happy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had allowed 10 goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with chairman Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Had their campaign coming unstitched, or had there never been a binding element maintaining its structure in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, but then he admitted that the board had not mentioned the transfer ban they were about to receive for accounting issues. Reports that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic in their performances as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to determine if they are improving or collapsing.
Matteo's Unexpected Return
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to be at Lazio this season. He completed the last one on loan at Parma and, early this summer, Lazio were attempting to remain there for another season. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad lacking backup options.
He joined originally under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances for Lazio in that campaign, the vast majority of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Uncovering His Best Role
Maybe Sarri was still trying to determine the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. Across 63 games on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
