Nicolò Zaniolo believes Roma can challenge for the Scudetto under Gian Piero Gasperini, describing his former coach as a “visionary” in an interview with Calciomercato.com.
The former Giallorossi forward, currently at Udinese, also reflected on his complicated departure from the capital and revealed how José Mourinho predicted he would score in the Conference League final.
Zaniolo: “Roma Can Have Their Say in the Scudetto Race”
Zaniolo worked with Gasperini at Atalanta, although a foot injury affected his ability to meet the coach’s demands.
“Gasperini is an incredible coach. He manages to get 120% out of every player; he makes you fly physically and mentally,” he said.
“At Atalanta, I was coming back from a fifth metatarsal problem and couldn’t fully meet his demands, but I had the honour of being coached by a visionary like him. Wherever he goes, he leaves his mark, and Roma are flying this year. They can certainly have their say in the Scudetto race.”
“I Still Support Roma”
Despite the difficult end to his Roma career, Zaniolo explained that his connection to the club and the city remains strong.
“My time with the Giallorossi was one of the most important and educational periods of my life. I carry great joys with me—the Conference League victory, my debut at the Bernabéu, my first Serie A goal against Sassuolo—but also disappointments.
“I left many friends in Rome, my wife is from Rome, my first child was born there… we are even thinking about moving back there when my career ends.
“Perhaps there are many things I wouldn’t do again, but without those mistakes and without injuries as serious as my cruciate ligament injuries, I wouldn’t be the person and athlete I am today. They taught me to look after my body, my diet and injury prevention. Today, I don’t go onto the pitch without doing preventive work.
“I was sorry to end the relationship with the Roma community somewhat abruptly. I still support them and cheer them on.”
Mourinho Predicted Zaniolo’s Conference League Final Goal
Zaniolo also shared a story about Mourinho’s decision to start him in the Conference League final, recalling that the Portuguese coach backed him against the advice of his staff.
“José is ‘Special’ in everything: his management, on the pitch, his reading of the game. There are so many stories I could tell.
“One? It concerns the Conference League final. I was competing with another player for a place, and all his staff were advising him to play the other player instead of me. Mourinho replied: ‘No, Nicolò has to play tomorrow because he will score.’
“Other times, he would come into the dressing room and say: ‘Tomorrow we’ll start strongly, put them under pressure and go 1–0 up.’ The following day, we would start strongly and go 1–0 up. He is a master.”
The relationship has continued beyond their time together at Roma, with Zaniolo highlighting Mourinho’s support away from football.
“He helped me enormously off the pitch. We still speak on WhatsApp; sometimes he writes, sometimes I do. That a coach who has managed world-class champions spontaneously finds the time to ask how I am shows the greatness of the man, even before the coach.”
Source: Calciomercato.com
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