Cancellieri Displays Glimpses of Exceptional Talent in Positive Aspect for Haywire Lazio
The mood at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had conceded a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Had their campaign coming unstitched, or did there exist any cohesion maintaining its structure to start with? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, before he admitted that the management had not mentioned a registration embargo they were about to receive for fiscal problems. Speculation that his departure was imminent were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining initial five matches, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it's been difficult to determine if progress is being made or imploding.
The Youngster's Unexpected Return
A single player continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to be at Lazio during this campaign. He was on the previous campaign with Parma on loan and, early this summer, Lazio were attempting to stay there for another season. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He joined initially during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances with the club in that campaign, the vast majority of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri was destined for stardom then never playing him."
Uncovering His Best Role
Perhaps the manager was still trying to identify the specific characteristics of his skill set. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
