Cancellieri Demonstrates Brief Sparks of Brilliance in Silver Lining for Unstable Lazio
The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy on Saturday afternoon. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had allowed a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Had their campaign unraveling, or did there exist a thread holding it together to start with? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as manager during the off-season, but then he publicly stated that the board had omitted to inform him about a registration embargo they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Reports that he might quit were without basis, but he did say that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy in their performances as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, observers have struggled to determine if progress is being made or self-destructing.
Matteo's Surprising Return
One individual continued to smile through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this season. He completed the last one with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his owning club were pushing for him to remain there a while longer. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster with no new signings.
Cancellieri arrived originally under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 Serie A appearances with the club in that campaign, all but one of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom only to bench him consistently."
Finding His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was still trying to identify the exact type of the player's talent. Labeled as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. Across 63 games while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
