The feeling at their home stadium was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, an opponent that had conceded 10 goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Had their campaign falling apart, or had there never been a thread keeping it intact in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, before he admitted that the board had not mentioned the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Rumours that he could resign were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Roman club became as messy on the pitch as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other initial five matches, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if progress is being made or imploding.
The Youngster's Unforeseen Comeback
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to feature for Lazio this season. He completed the last one with Parma on loan and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were attempting to stay there temporarily. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. They were unable to weaken their team lacking backup options.
He joined in the first place under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 matches in the league for Lazio in 2022-23, all but one of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was still trying to determine the nature of the player's talent. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri instead found himself the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma in the past two years, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
