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The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, an opponent that had let in ten goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.

A Season Falling Apart?

Was the team's progress falling apart, or had there never been a binding element keeping it intact in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, but then he publicly stated that the board had failed to disclose a registration embargo they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Reports that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.

The Roman club appeared equally disorganized in their performances as off the field, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, it has been hard to tell if they are improving or imploding.

Cancellieri's Surprising Presence

At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this season. He spent last season with Parma on loan and, early this summer, his parent club were advocating for him to stay there a while longer. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to reduce their roster with no new signings.

Cancellieri arrived initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, almost all of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."

Uncovering His Natural Fit

It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to determine the exact type of the player's talent. Originally described as a flank player on arrival, Cancellieri instead found himself the majority of that term as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he scored seven times. Shoehorn