The atmosphere at their home stadium was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had let in 10 goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a continuous dispute with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or was there ever a thread holding it together in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, but then he to later acknowledge that the management had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Rumours that he could resign were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy during matches as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the rest of their first five games, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to tell if progress is being made or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Return
One individual remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio during this campaign. He completed the last one with Parma on loan and, early this summer, his parent club were attempting to extend his stay temporarily. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived originally when Sarri was last in charge, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances with the club in that campaign, all but one of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Finding His Best Role
It's possible the coach was still trying to determine the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
