The mood at their home stadium was far from happy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, an opponent that had conceded 10 goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or was there ever a thread holding it together in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, only for him admitted that the management had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Reports that he could resign were not true, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized in their performances as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, it has been hard to determine if progress is being made or self-destructing.
Matteo's Unforeseen Presence
At least one man kept smiling amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this year. He spent last season on loan at Parma and, early this summer, Lazio were pushing for him to remain there for another season. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to weaken their team with no new signings.
Cancellieri arrived in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in 2022-23, all but one of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Uncovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was still trying to work out the exact type of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
