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The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had conceded ten goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.

A Season Coming Unstitched?

Was the team's progress unraveling, or did there exist a binding element holding it together to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, only for him publicly stated that the club had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Reports that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.

The Biancocelesti became as messy during matches as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, it's been difficult to ascertain if progress is being made or collapsing.

Matteo's Unforeseen Presence

One individual remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio during this campaign. He spent last season at Parma as a loanee and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were pushing for him to remain there temporarily. The transfer ban led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad without replacements.

He joined originally under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances with the club in 2022-23, 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 "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."

Uncovering His Best Role

It's possible the coach was still trying to identify the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as a wide forward when he joined, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn