The atmosphere at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, a team that had let in a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or was there ever a thread holding it together to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as head coach this summer, before he admitted that the board had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were facing for fiscal problems. Speculation that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other initial five matches, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to determine if they are improving or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Surprising Comeback
One individual continued to smile through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio this season. He spent last season at Parma as a loanee and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were attempting to stay there for another season. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He joined originally when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league with the club in that campaign, almost all of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was still trying to determine the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma in the past two years, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
