Cancellieri Demonstrates Glimpses of Genius in Silver Lining for Struggling Lazio
The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had allowed 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in a long-running conflict with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Unraveling?
Was the team's progress falling apart, or had there never been a binding element holding it together in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, before he publicly stated that the board had failed to disclose a ban on new signings they were about to receive for accounting issues. Speculation that he could resign were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining initial five matches, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it has been hard to tell if they're getting better or collapsing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Comeback
One individual kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to feature for Lazio this year. He completed the previous campaign at Parma as a loanee and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to extend his stay a while longer. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived initially under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league for Lazio in that campaign, almost all of those coming off the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who left after that campaign, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Finding His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was still trying to identify the exact type of the player's talent. Labeled as a flank player upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
