The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had let in 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a continuous dispute with chairman Claudio Lotito.
A Season Coming Unstitched?
Was Lazio's season coming unstitched, or had there never been a binding element holding it together to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, but then he publicly stated that the management had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for fiscal problems. Rumours that his departure was imminent were not true, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio became as messy in their performances as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining initial five matches, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to ascertain if they are improving or collapsing.
Matteo's Unexpected Presence
At least one man kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He spent the last one on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to remain there a while longer. The transfer ban forced a rethink. The club couldn't risk to weaken their team without replacements.
He signed originally under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, almost all of those as a substitute. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom only to bench him consistently."
Finding His True Position
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to identify the nature of the player's talent. Labeled as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
