The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had conceded 10 goals while scoring only two in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Had their campaign unraveling, or did there exist a binding element keeping it intact to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, before he publicly stated that the management had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Speculation that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio became as messy in their performances as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other initial five matches, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to determine if they are improving or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Presence
One individual kept smiling amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this season. He spent the last one at Parma as a loanee and, early this summer, his owning club were attempting to extend his stay for another season. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He signed originally during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances with the club in that campaign, all but one of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom only to bench him consistently."
Finding His True Position
Maybe Sarri was persistently working to determine the exact type of his skill set. Originally described as a wide forward when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
