The mood at their home stadium was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had allowed a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or had there never been a thread holding it together in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, only for him publicly stated that the club had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Rumours that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the remaining first five games, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, observers have struggled to determine if progress is being made or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Presence
A single player continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this year. He was on the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his parent club were attempting to stay there a while longer. The signing restriction led to a change of plans. They were unable to weaken their team without replacements.
He signed in the first place under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 matches in the league with the club in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Uncovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to determine the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
