Cancellieri Shows Flashing Moments of Exceptional Talent in Silver Lining for Struggling Lazio
The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. Lazio were trailing against Torino, an opponent that had allowed 10 goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in a continuous dispute with club owner Claudio Lotito.
This Year's Efforts Coming Unstitched?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or did there exist a thread holding it together in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as head coach in the summer transfer window, only for him admitted that the board had omitted to inform him about a registration embargo they were facing for fiscal problems. Reports that his departure was imminent were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Roman club became as messy during matches as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in their other opening fixtures, featuring the derby della Capitale. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to determine if they're getting better or self-destructing.
Cancellieri's Surprising Presence
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He spent the last one at Parma as a loanee and, at the start of the off-season, his owning club were attempting to stay there for another season. The transfer ban forced a rethink. Lazio could not afford to reduce their roster without replacements.
He signed in the first place when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Uncovering His True Position
Perhaps the manager was still trying to identify the specific characteristics of the player's talent. Billed as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. Across 63 games during spells with Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
