The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had allowed a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their ongoing dissent in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Had their campaign unraveling, or had there never been a binding element keeping it intact in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as head coach in the summer transfer window, before he publicly stated that the board had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Rumours that he could resign were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized during matches as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other initial five matches, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, it's been difficult to ascertain if progress is being made or imploding.
Cancellieri's Surprising Presence
At least one man remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to be at Lazio this year. He was on the last one on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his owning club were advocating for him to extend his stay temporarily. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He joined initially during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those as a substitute. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who left after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Finding His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to work out the nature of the player's talent. Labeled as a flank player on arrival, Cancellieri instead found himself the majority of that term as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
