The feeling at Lazio's home ground was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had conceded ten goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or had there never been a thread holding it together in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, before he publicly stated that the club had failed to disclose a registration embargo they were facing for financial irregularities. Speculation that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized in their performances as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the rest of their initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. From one game to the next, it has been hard to tell if they are improving or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Surprising Presence
A single player remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio this season. He spent last season on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his owning club were attempting to stay there a while longer. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to weaken their team lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived initially when Sarri was last in charge, at that time a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances for Lazio in that campaign, all but one of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Finding His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to determine the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Labeled as a wide forward on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
