The atmosphere at their home stadium was anything but joyful during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, an opponent that had conceded ten goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in a continuous dispute with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Had their campaign unraveling, or did there exist a thread keeping it intact to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, before he admitted that the board had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Reports that he might quit were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic during matches as behind the scenes, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it has been hard to determine if they're getting better or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Unforeseen Presence
At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this year. He completed last season on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his parent club were pushing for him to stay there a while longer. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. They were unable to weaken their team without replacements.
He signed initially during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left after that campaign, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star only to bench him consistently."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was persistently working to determine the nature of his skill set. Originally described as a flank player when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
