Matteo Cancellieri Displays Brief Sparks of Genius in Bright Spot for Unstable Lazio
The atmosphere at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a team that had allowed a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or did there exist a thread holding it together in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as manager 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. Reports that he could resign were without basis, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy during matches as behind the scenes, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing their other first five games, which included the capital clash. From one game to the next, it has been hard to tell if they are improving or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Unforeseen Presence
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio during this campaign. He was on last season on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, Lazio were attempting to stay there a while longer. The registration embargo led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived in the first place under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He made 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, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, would later accuse Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was persistently working to determine the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as a flank player on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile in the striker role. In 63 appearances on loan at Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn