Cancellieri Shows Flashing Moments of Genius in Silver Lining for Struggling Lazio
The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, an opponent that had conceded 10 goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in a continuous dispute with chairman Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season coming unstitched, or had there never been any cohesion keeping it intact from the beginning? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as head coach in the summer transfer window, but then he to later acknowledge that the board had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were about to receive for accounting issues. Rumours that he might quit were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio became as messy during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining initial five matches, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, observers have struggled to determine if they're getting better or imploding.
The Youngster's Unexpected Comeback
At least one man remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio during this campaign. He was on the last one on loan at Parma and, early this summer, his parent club were pushing for him to remain there a while longer. The transfer ban forced a rethink. The club couldn't risk to weaken their team with no new signings.
He joined in the first place during Sarri's previous tenure, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances for Lazio in that campaign, almost all of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left after that campaign, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Finding His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was continuing to attempt to identify the nature of the player's talent. Billed 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 in the past two years, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
