The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, an opponent that had let in ten goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or was there ever a binding element maintaining its structure to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, but then he to later acknowledge that the club had not mentioned a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for fiscal problems. Reports that he could resign were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, it has been hard to tell if progress is being made or collapsing.
Matteo's Unexpected Return
One individual kept smiling amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this year. He was on last season with Parma on loan and, early this summer, his parent club were attempting to stay there for another season. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He signed initially under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances for Lazio in that campaign, the vast majority of those as a substitute. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Uncovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was still trying to work out the nature of his skill set. Billed as a flank player when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
