The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had allowed 10 goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign coming unstitched, or did there exist any cohesion keeping it intact to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as manager in the summer transfer window, before he admitted that the board had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were facing for fiscal problems. Reports that he could resign were not true, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic in their performances as behind the scenes, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other first five games, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, it has been hard to ascertain if they are improving or imploding.
Matteo's Surprising Return
At least one man kept smiling throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He completed the previous campaign with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, Lazio were attempting to stay there temporarily. The signing restriction forced a rethink. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team with no new signings.
He joined originally under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A appearances for Lazio in that campaign, the vast majority of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Finding His True Position
Perhaps the manager was persistently working to work out the exact type of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself much of that season as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
