The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had let in 10 goals while scoring only two in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign falling apart, or was there ever a binding element maintaining its structure from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, only for him to later acknowledge that the club had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were about to receive for accounting issues. Reports that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "deceived" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic in their performances as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their first five games, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if they're getting better or self-destructing.
Cancellieri's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to feature for Lazio this year. He spent last season with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his owning club were attempting to extend his stay for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad without replacements.
He joined originally under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 matches in the league with the club in 2022-23, the vast majority of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was still trying to identify the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Labeled as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
