The mood at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, a team that had let in 10 goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or was there ever any cohesion holding it together to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, before he publicly stated that the club had not mentioned a registration embargo they were facing for financial irregularities. Speculation that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Roman club were just as chaotic on the pitch as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other initial five matches, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it's been difficult to ascertain if they're getting better or imploding.
Cancellieri's Unexpected Return
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He was on last season on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to stay there for another season. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. The club couldn't risk to weaken their team without replacements.
He joined originally under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 Serie A appearances with the club in 2022-23, all but one of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Finding His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to identify the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Labeled as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
