The mood at their home stadium was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had conceded ten goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or had there never been a binding element holding it together to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, before he admitted that the club had not mentioned the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Rumours that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy in their performances as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other first five games, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to ascertain if they are improving or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unexpected Presence
One individual kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio during this campaign. He was on the last one at Parma as a loanee and, during the summer break, his owning club were attempting to stay there for another season. The signing restriction led to a change of plans. They were unable to weaken their team lacking backup options.
He signed originally under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances with the club in 2022-23, almost all of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, later stated Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Finding His True Position
It's possible the coach was persistently working to work out the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
