Cancellieri Demonstrates Brief Sparks of Genius in Bright Spot for Struggling Lazio
The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had conceded 10 goals while scoring only two in their last five league matches. Ultras from the Curva Nord were finishing their ongoing dissent in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or did there exist any cohesion maintaining its structure in the first place? They reappointed Maurizio Sarri as head coach during the off-season, but then he publicly stated that the management had omitted to inform him about a registration embargo they were facing for fiscal problems. Speculation that he might quit were not true, but he stated that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Roman club appeared equally disorganized in their performances as off the field, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining first five games, which included the capital clash. At any given moment, it's been difficult to tell if they are improving or self-destructing.
Cancellieri's Surprising Comeback
At least one man remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He was on the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, at the start of the off-season, his owning club were attempting to remain there for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. They were unable to thin their squad lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived initially under Sarri's first spell, back then just 20 years old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances for Lazio in that campaign, all but one of those as a substitute. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed at the end of that season, later stated Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Finding His Natural Fit
Perhaps the manager was still trying to determine the exact type of the player's talent. Labeled as a flank player 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 on loan at Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
