The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had allowed ten goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or had there never been a thread keeping it intact from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, before he to later acknowledge that the club had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for fiscal problems. Rumours that he might quit were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy in their performances as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining initial five matches, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if they're getting better or imploding.
The Youngster's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to feature for Lazio during this campaign. He completed the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, his parent club were attempting to remain there temporarily. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He signed originally when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 league appearances with the club in that campaign, almost all of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Discovering His True Position
Maybe Sarri was still trying to identify the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
