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The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had let in ten goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito.

The Campaign Coming Unstitched?

Was Lazio's season falling apart, or was there ever a thread maintaining its structure to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as head coach in the summer transfer window, but then he admitted that the management had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Rumours that his departure was imminent were not true, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.

The Roman club appeared equally disorganized during matches as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if they're getting better or self-destructing.

Matteo's Surprising Return

At least one man remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to feature for Lazio during this campaign. He was on the last one on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his owning club were advocating for him to stay there a while longer. The signing restriction necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to reduce their roster lacking backup options.

He signed in the first place when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league with the club in 2022-23, all but one of those from the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."

Discovering His Natural Fit

Maybe Sarri was persistently working to identify the specific characteristics of his skill set. Billed as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he scored seven times. Shoehorn