Matteo Cancellieri Displays Flashing Moments of Exceptional Talent in Silver Lining for Unstable Lazio
The mood at their home stadium was far from happy on Saturday afternoon. The home side was losing against Torino, an opponent that had allowed 10 goals while netting just two in their previous five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Falling Apart?
Was the team's progress unraveling, or was there ever any cohesion maintaining its structure in the first place? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, before he publicly stated that the club had omitted to inform him about a registration embargo they were about to receive for accounting issues. Speculation that his departure was imminent were not true, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "deceived" him.
The Biancocelesti were just as chaotic during matches as they were off it, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the rest of their initial five matches, which included the capital clash. Throughout this period, it's been difficult to ascertain if they're getting better or collapsing.
Matteo's Unexpected Presence
One individual continued to smile throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to remain with Lazio this year. He completed the last one at Parma as a loanee and, early this summer, his parent club were attempting to remain there temporarily. The transfer ban forced a rethink. They were unable to weaken their team without replacements.
Cancellieri arrived initially during Sarri's previous tenure, then a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 matches in the league with the club in that campaign, the vast majority of those as a substitute. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, subsequently claimed Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential then never playing him."
Uncovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was still trying to work out the specific characteristics of his skill set. Originally described as an attacking winger upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent the majority of that term as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
