Nicolo Zaniolo has come out against the press who criticised his performance against North Macedonia, after a great performance against Ukraine.
In the first game of the September international break, Italy came up against North Macedonia in a Euro’s qualifying match.
Luciano Spalletti drew 1-1, Ciro Immobile and Enis Bardhi scoring the goals.
Aston Villa’s Zaniolo faced criticism due to giving away a foul, leading to Bardhi’s equaliser.
This didn’t seem to bother his manager who gave the Villa man a start in the next game against Ukraine.
A 2-1 win with Davide Frattesi scoring a double.
The new Villa man played well and silenced some of the doubters from the previous game.
Signed from Galatasaray on loan this summer, Zaniolo is yet to start for Villa, but post international break could see his minutes increase.
What has Nicolo Zaniolo said?
When speaking after his positive performance, He said: “I don’t think I’ve ever stopped. I always do what the coach asks of me and I always make myself available.
“Many times I’m labelled by you as a person who doesn’t show respect outside the pitch but that’s not the case.”
It is clear that the Italian isn’t keen on the reputation he has in the press but he’ll just keep to himself never the less.
Despite typically being a number 10, he operated off the right for his country.
When asked about the role he said: “I can play winger, attacking midfielder or midfielder. But at the moment this is the role I know how to do best.”
He is a player with bags of ability, but knows that he can get better: “I still need something to improve, but with the coach who told me so many things about the defensive and offensive phases on the pitch.
“I felt comfortable. I’m happy with this performance.”
Here’s to hoping he carries his positive performance back to Villa Park and gets his first goal involvements.
