Roma and José Mourinho offered their support to Nicolò Zaniolo after the unlucky turn of events in the Genoa game. The starlet had bagged a great goal in the stoppage time. However, a VAR review waved it off due to a Tammy Abraham foul. The referee later expelled him for protesting too much.
Gianluca Vialli called Zaniolo to back him, Corriere dello Sport informs. The Azzurri assistant congratulated him for the gem and reassured him. Italy coach Roberto Mancini was at the Stadio Olimpico Sunday. The Roma starlet will have a starring role in the World Cup playoffs.
Zaniolo will likely get more than the standard one-game suspension for the red card. He returned on the pitch after the final whistle, which is forbidden. Roma are bracing for a two-match ban, the publication informs.
The Giallorossi recently hired former referee Gianpaolo Calvarese as a consultant to handle these matters. Zaniolo has had a highly controversial relationship with officials this season. He ranks second in Serie A for most dribbles, trailing just Rafael Leao. However, he is only the 13th for fouls in his favor. Instead, he is sixth for most fouls committed despite his role. In addition, he has already seen red twice this season, and he has received eight yellow cards.
Milena Bertolini, the coach of the Italian women’s national team, had the opposite take to Vialli during Rai 2’s show Novantesimo Minuto: “Zaniolo has had some difficulties lately. He needs to get help and discipline. The referee had to do his part too, but it was not a justification for his attitude.”