The feeling at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had conceded ten goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or had there never been any cohesion holding it together to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, but then he publicly stated that the board had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were about to receive for fiscal problems. Speculation that he could resign were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
Lazio became as messy during matches as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to determine if progress is being made or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Unexpected Comeback
A single player remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to be at Lazio this season. He completed last season on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his owning club were attempting to remain there temporarily. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. They were unable to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He signed initially when Sarri was last in charge, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Discovering His True Position
It's possible the coach was still trying to determine the nature of the player's talent. Originally described as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
