Cancellieri Shows Glimpses of Brilliance in Positive Aspect for Haywire Lazio
The mood at Lazio's home ground was decidedly gloomy during the weekend fixture. Lazio were trailing against Torino, a side that had allowed 10 goals while managing only two goals 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 Unraveling?
Had their campaign unraveling, or had there never been a thread keeping it intact to start with? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as manager this summer, only for him publicly stated that the board had not mentioned a registration embargo they were about to receive for fiscal problems. Speculation that he could resign were unfounded, but he acknowledged that Lotito had "swindled" him.
Lazio were just as chaotic in their performances as off the field, defeating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in the remaining first five games, featuring the derby della Capitale. At any given moment, it's been difficult to ascertain if progress is being made or collapsing.
Cancellieri's Unexpected Return
A single player remained positive through it. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio this season. He spent the last one at Parma as a loanee and, early this summer, his parent club were pushing for him to remain there temporarily. The transfer ban necessitated a reconsideration. Lazio could not afford to weaken their team with no new signings.
Cancellieri arrived in the first place under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He made 20 Serie A appearances with the club in 2022-23, almost all of those from the bench. The ex- sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended after that campaign, subsequently claimed Sarri of "promising everyone Cancellieri had superstar potential only to bench him consistently."
Discovering His Natural Fit
It's possible the coach was still trying to determine the exact type of his skill set. Originally described as an attacking winger on arrival, Cancellieri nevertheless spent most of that campaign as an unconvincing alternative to Ciro Immobile at No 9. In 63 appearances while playing for Empoli and Parma during recent campaigns, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn
