🔗 Share this article Matteo Cancellieri Displays Brief Sparks of Brilliance in Silver Lining for Struggling Lazio The feeling at their home stadium was decidedly gloomy this past Saturday. The Biancocelesti found themselves behind against Torino, a side that had allowed ten goals while managing only two goals in their most recent five league matches. Supporters from the Curva Nord were finishing their most recent demonstration in a long-running conflict with club owner Claudio Lotito. A Season Falling Apart? Was the team's progress falling apart, or had there never been a binding element keeping it intact from the beginning? The club brought back Maurizio Sarri as head coach during the off-season, before he admitted that the club had omitted to inform him about the transfer ban they were set to be hit with for financial irregularities. Reports that his departure was imminent were unfounded, but he stated that Lotito had "deceived" him. The Roman club became as messy on the pitch as behind the scenes, beating Verona 4-0 and Genoa 3-0 but being defeated in their other opening fixtures, including the Rome derby. From one game to the next, it has been hard to ascertain if they're getting better or imploding. Matteo's Unexpected Comeback At least one man remained positive amid the chaos. Matteo Cancellieri wasn't originally meant to remain with Lazio during this campaign. He spent last season with Parma on loan and, during the summer break, Lazio were advocating for him to remain there a while longer. The signing restriction led to a change of plans. The club couldn't risk to reduce their roster lacking backup options. Cancellieri arrived originally under Sarri's first spell, at that time a 20-year-old product of Verona's academy. He recorded 20 league appearances in Lazio colors in that campaign, almost all of those from the bench. The club's longtime sporting director, Igli Tare, whose tenure ended at the end of that season, would later accuse Sarri of "telling everyone Cancellieri would be a star but then not selecting him." Finding His True Position Maybe Sarri was persistently working to identify the exact type of his skill set. Labeled as a wide forward upon signing, Cancellieri nevertheless spent much of that season as a struggling deputy to Ciro Immobile as center forward. During 63 outings on loan at Empoli and Parma over the last two seasons, he netted seven goals. Shoehorn