Cancellieri Displays Glimpses of Brilliance in Positive Aspect for Haywire Lazio
The atmosphere at their home stadium was far from happy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had conceded a total of 10 goals while netting just two in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were concluding their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Coming Unstitched?
Was the team's progress coming unstitched, or did there exist any cohesion keeping it intact from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri as head coach during the off-season, but then he publicly stated that the board had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were facing for financial irregularities. Rumours that he might quit were without basis, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Roman club became as messy during matches as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other initial five matches, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, it's been difficult to tell if they are improving or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Surprising Presence
One individual remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this season. He spent last season on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were pushing for him to extend his stay for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to reduce their roster with no new signings.
He signed initially when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those as a substitute. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star but then not selecting him."
Finding His Best Role
It's possible the coach was persistently working to identify the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as a wide forward when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself most of that campaign as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
