Cancellieri Shows Flashing Moments of Genius in Bright Spot for Unstable Lazio
The feeling at their home stadium was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The home side was losing against Torino, a team that had conceded ten goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Coming Unstitched?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or had there never been a thread maintaining its structure from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, but then he publicly stated that the management had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Rumours that his departure was imminent were not true, but he did say that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy during matches as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other initial five matches, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it has been hard to tell if they are improving or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Unforeseen Comeback
One individual kept smiling throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this year. He spent the last one at Parma as a loanee and, early this summer, Lazio were pushing for him to extend his stay a while longer. The registration embargo necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to reduce their roster without replacements.
He joined initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He made 20 league appearances with the club in that campaign, almost all of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended following that term, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Finding His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was still trying to work out the nature of the player's talent. Labeled as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri yet was deployed for most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
