The mood at their home stadium was far from happy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had allowed 10 goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign falling apart, or did there exist a binding element holding it together in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, only for him to later acknowledge that the board had omitted to inform him about a registration embargo they were facing for financial irregularities. Speculation that he could resign were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic during matches as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining initial five matches, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to tell if they are improving or collapsing.
Matteo's Unexpected Return
One individual remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio this season. He completed last season on loan at Parma and, early this summer, Lazio were pushing for him to extend his stay for another season. The registration embargo forced a rethink. They were unable to thin their squad with no new signings.
He signed in the first place under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Finding His True Position
It's possible the coach was persistently working to determine the nature of his skill set. Billed as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
