The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had allowed 10 goals while netting just two in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or had there never been any cohesion holding it together to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, only for him to later acknowledge that the management had omitted to inform him about a registration embargo they were about to receive for accounting issues. Speculation that his departure was imminent 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 falling short in the rest of their opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to determine if they're getting better or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Surprising Presence
A single player remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to remain with Lazio during this campaign. He completed the last one with Parma on loan and, early this summer, his parent club were attempting to stay there a while longer. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He joined originally under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 Serie A appearances for Lazio in the 2022-23 season, almost all of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His True Position
It's possible the coach was still trying to identify the specific characteristics of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
