The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had allowed 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a continuous dispute with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign unraveling, or did there exist a thread holding it together from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, before he publicly stated that the management had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were facing for fiscal problems. Speculation that he could resign were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Roman club became as messy on the pitch as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the remaining opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it has been hard to ascertain if they are improving or imploding.
The Youngster's Surprising Presence
At least one man continued to smile through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He completed last season at Parma as a loanee and, early this summer, Lazio were advocating for him to stay there for another season. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. They were unable to thin their squad lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 matches in the league with the club in that campaign, all but one of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star only to bench him consistently."
Finding His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to determine the nature of the player's talent. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
