Matteo Cancellieri Displays Flashing Moments of Genius in Silver Lining for Haywire Lazio
The atmosphere at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had let in 10 goals while scoring only two in their previous five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their latest protest in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or did there exist a binding element holding it together from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as head coach this summer, only for him admitted that the management had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were about to receive for accounting issues. Reports that he might quit were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio became as messy in their performances as behind the scenes, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining opening fixtures, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, observers have struggled to determine if they are improving or self-destructing.
Cancellieri's Unforeseen Presence
At least one man remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this year. He was on the previous campaign at Parma as a loanee and, during the summer break, his owning club were attempting to stay there for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He signed originally under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances with the club in that campaign, almost all of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Finding His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was still trying to work out the exact type of his skill set. Billed as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
