The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had let in ten goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign falling apart, or was there ever a thread maintaining its structure in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as head coach in the summer transfer window, but then he publicly stated that the management had failed to disclose a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Speculation that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic in their performances as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their initial five matches, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to determine if they're getting better or imploding.
Matteo's Unexpected Return
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to be at Lazio during this campaign. He was on the last one with Parma on loan and, at the start of the off-season, his owning club were attempting to remain there for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to thin their squad without replacements.
He joined originally during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, almost all of those as a substitute. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Uncovering His True Position
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to work out the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as a flank player when he joined, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
