Matteo Cancellieri Demonstrates Flashing Moments of Brilliance in Silver Lining for Struggling Lazio
The mood at their home stadium was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had let in 10 goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in a long-running conflict with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Had their campaign unraveling, or had there never been a binding element holding it together in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, before he publicly stated that the board had failed to disclose a registration embargo they were facing for financial irregularities. Reports that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining first five games, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, observers have struggled to determine if they are improving or self-destructing.
Cancellieri's Unexpected Return
A single player remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to feature for Lazio during this campaign. He was on the last one on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to extend his stay for another season. The transfer ban forced a rethink. They were unable to weaken their team lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived originally under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those coming off the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left at the end of that season, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to determine the nature of his skill set. Labeled as a wide forward when he joined, Cancellieri instead found himself the majority of that term as an ineffective backup to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
