Cancellieri Displays Flashing Moments of Brilliance in Positive Aspect for Struggling Lazio
The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was anything but joyful on Saturday afternoon. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, an opponent that had allowed 10 goals while scoring only two in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were wrapping up their latest protest in an ongoing feud with chairman Claudio Lotito.
The Campaign Coming Unstitched?
Had their campaign falling apart, or did there exist a thread keeping it intact from the beginning? Lazio reinstated Maurizio Sarri to lead the team this summer, only for him to later acknowledge that the club had not mentioned the transfer ban they were about to receive for accounting issues. Reports that he could resign were not true, but he stated that Lotito had "swindled" him.
The Roman club were just as chaotic during matches as behind the scenes, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining first five games, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it's been difficult to ascertain if they are improving or imploding.
The Youngster's Unforeseen Return
At least one man kept smiling throughout. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He completed the previous campaign on loan at Parma and, early this summer, Lazio were pushing for him to extend his stay for another season. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team without replacements.
He joined originally when Sarri was last in charge, at that time a 20-year-old graduate of Verona's academy. He accumulated 20 Serie A appearances with the club in that campaign, all but one of those coming off the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, who departed after that campaign, subsequently claimed Sarri of "informing all Cancellieri was destined for stardom but then not selecting him."
Finding His Best Role
It's possible the coach was persistently working to determine the exact type of Cancellieri's abilities. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. Across 63 games on loan at Empoli and Parma in the past two years, his tally was seven goals. Shoehorn
