Matteo Cancellieri Demonstrates Brief Sparks of Brilliance in Positive Aspect for Unstable Lazio
The feeling at Lazio's home ground was far from happy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a team that had let in 10 goals while netting just two in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in a continuous dispute with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Unraveling?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or did there exist any cohesion keeping it intact to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team during the off-season, before he publicly stated that the board had omitted to inform him about a ban on new signings they were facing for financial irregularities. Reports that he might quit were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti became as messy during matches as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the rest of their first five games, including the Rome derby. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if progress is being made or collapsing.
The Youngster's Unexpected Comeback
One individual kept smiling through it. Matteo Cancellieri had not been expected to feature for Lazio during this campaign. He completed the last one on loan at Parma and, during the summer break, Lazio were pushing for him to stay there for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. The club couldn't risk to thin their squad lacking backup options.
Cancellieri arrived initially under Sarri's first spell, then a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, all but one of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who left following that term, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri would be a star but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to determine the nature of Cancellieri's abilities. Billed as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile as center forward. In 63 appearances during spells with Empoli and Parma in the past two years, he scored seven times. Shoehorn
