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The feeling at the Stadio Olimpico was far from happy on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had allowed 10 goals while scoring only two in their previous five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their ongoing dissent in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.

This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?

Had their campaign falling apart, or did there exist a binding element keeping it intact in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, only for him admitted that the board had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were facing for accounting issues. Speculation that he might quit were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him.

The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic on the pitch as behind the scenes, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other first five games, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it has been hard to determine if progress is being made or self-destructing.

Cancellieri's Unforeseen Return

One individual remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to be at Lazio this season. He spent the last one on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his owning club were pushing for him to remain there a while longer. The registration embargo forced a rethink. They were unable to reduce their roster lacking backup options.

He joined in the first place under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league for Lazio in that campaign, almost all of those from the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."

Uncovering His Best Role

Maybe Sarri was continuing to attempt to work out the nature of his skill set. Originally described as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn