The feeling at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had allowed a total of 10 goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign coming unstitched, or did there exist any cohesion keeping it intact in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, only for him admitted that the management had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were facing for accounting issues. Rumours that he could resign were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "misled" him.
Lazio became as messy during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it has been hard to determine if they're getting better or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man kept smiling throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio during this campaign. He spent the last one on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, his owning club were advocating for him to stay there for another season. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster without replacements.
He signed initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in 2022-23, the vast majority of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star then never playing him."
Finding His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to identify the nature of his skill set. Originally described as a flank player when he joined, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
