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The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had allowed ten goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.

This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?

Was Lazio's season coming unstitched, or was there ever any cohesion holding it together in the first place? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as head coach during the off-season, but then he admitted that the management had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for fiscal problems. Reports that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "swindled" him.

The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic in their performances as behind the scenes, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other first five games, featuring the derby della Capitale. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to determine if progress is being made or imploding.

The Youngster's Surprising Return

At least one man continued to smile through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He was on the last one with Parma on loan and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were pushing for him to remain there a while longer. The registration embargo forced a rethink. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster lacking backup options.

He joined initially during Sarri's previous tenure, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league for Lazio in that campaign, all but one of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom only to bench him consistently."

Discovering His True Position

It's possible the coach was still trying to identify the exact type of his skill set. Originally described as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he scored seven times. Shoehorn