Matteo Cancellieri Demonstrates Flashing Moments of Genius in Bright Spot for Unstable Lazio
The mood at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. The home side was losing against Torino, a side that had let in 10 goals while managing only two goals in their previous five league matches. Fans from the Curva Nord were concluding their latest protest in an ongoing feud with president Claudio Lotito.
A Season Unraveling?
Was Lazio's season falling apart, or did there exist any cohesion holding it together to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri to lead the team in the summer transfer window, only for him publicly stated that the club had not mentioned a ban on new signings they were set to be hit with for accounting issues. Speculation that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he did say that Lotito had "misled" him.
The Roman club were just as chaotic in their performances as they were off it, overcoming Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but losing the remaining first five games, including the Rome derby. At any given moment, it's been difficult to ascertain if they're getting better or self-destructing.
The Youngster's Surprising Comeback
A single player remained positive throughout. Matteo Cancellieri was not even supposed to feature for Lazio this season. He spent the last one at Parma as a loanee and, at the start of the off-season, his owning club were advocating for him to stay there for another season. The signing restriction forced a rethink. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster lacking backup options.
He signed in the first place under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old alumnus of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 Serie A 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, later stated Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri had superstar potential but then not selecting him."
Uncovering His Best Role
It's possible the coach was continuing to attempt to determine the exact type of the player's talent. Originally described as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. During 63 outings while playing for Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
