Cancellieri Displays Flashing Moments of Genius in Positive Aspect for Struggling Lazio
The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, a team that had conceded a total of 10 goals while managing only two goals in their last five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their most recent demonstration in an ongoing feud with club owner Claudio Lotito.
A Season Falling Apart?
Had their campaign unraveling, or was there ever any cohesion maintaining its structure from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, before he admitted that the board had failed to disclose the transfer ban they were about to receive for financial irregularities. Reports that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Biancocelesti appeared equally disorganized on the pitch as they were off it, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but falling short in the remaining opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it's been difficult to determine if they are improving or self-destructing.
Cancellieri's Surprising Return
A single player continued to smile amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio during this campaign. He completed last season with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, his parent club were attempting to stay there a while longer. The transfer ban forced a rethink. Lazio could not afford to thin their squad with no new signings.
He joined in the first place when Sarri was last in charge, back then just 20 years old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, the vast majority of those from the bench. Their former sporting director, Igli Tare, who left after that campaign, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star but then not selecting him."
Discovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was persistently working to work out the exact type of his skill set. Originally described as a wide forward when he joined, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn