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The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had conceded 10 goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.

The Campaign Coming Unstitched?

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 during the off-season, only for him to later acknowledge that the club had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were about to receive for accounting issues. Speculation that his departure was imminent were not true, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.

The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining first five games, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to determine if they're getting better or imploding.

Matteo's Surprising Return

One individual remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to feature for Lazio this year. He completed the previous campaign at Parma as a loanee and, at the start of the off-season, his owning club were advocating for him to remain there for another season. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team lacking backup options.

He signed initially under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league with the club in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."

Uncovering His True Position

It's possible the coach was still trying to determine the exact type of the player's talent. Originally described as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative 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