Cancellieri Demonstrates Brief Sparks of Exceptional Talent in Positive Aspect for Haywire Lazio
The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had let in ten goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their ongoing dissent in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or was there ever any cohesion holding it together to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, but then he to later acknowledge that the management had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were about to receive for accounting issues. Rumours that he could resign were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Roman club were just as chaotic on the pitch as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it's been difficult to tell if they're getting better or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Surprising Presence
One individual kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio this year. He completed the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team without replacements.
He signed originally when Sarri was last in charge, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those from the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, would later accuse Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
Maybe Sarri was continuing to attempt to identify the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as an attacking winger when he joined, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
