Zaniolo goal and armband: the truth and glimpses of the future from the field

Between all the talk and reality, between market squealers and the field, which in the end is always the best reflection of the truth, Nicolò Zaniolo played two games, hit two goalposts, scored two goals and continues to have a lot of desire to do well. This is what Zaniolo has been showing on the field during the first friendlies of Roma's Portuguese training camp, slowly dispelling the rumors that, until a few days ago, were poisonously circulating about the future of the decisive scorer of the only Uefa final won by Roma in its history. 

Against Sunderland, Mourinho threw in number 22 at halftime (also happening against Portimonense when he changed all eleven who were on the field in the 45th minute). Zaniolo stood next to Abraham to space himself between the three-quarter and the second forward role, giving Roma attack depth and physical strength, which Roma has nurtured and rebuilt with Zaniolo even in the darkest moments of the former Inter talent's young and already unfortunate career. 

During the second consecutive friendly, he hit a goalpost when the score was still 1-0, throwing himself into space on a Perez through-ball pass and unloaded a powerful right-footer that printed the ball on the crossbar. He continued the pressure and in the 71st minute he physically annihilated the defenders and beat the opposing goalkeeper with an accurate left foot, sanctioning the final 2-0 score. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Un post condiviso da Il Romanista (@ilromanistaweb)

Compared to the challenge with the Black Cats, however, there was one major difference yesterday: after the substitutions at the beginning of the second half the captain's armband that was on Pellegrini's arm was taken by Zaniolo himself (during Sunderland it had passed on to Zalewski). This, too, is an unmistakable sign from the field. It had happened to Zaniolo before, just recently on July 15, but in 2021 when that piece of cloth was around his biceps in another summer friendly, it sanctioned his return to full strength after injury. 

Now, while the powerful image showing the conversation between Nicolò and Pellegrini sitting in the middle of the empty training ground is still in everyone's eyes, the captain's armband is a symbol that (re)brings the Giallorossi talent closer to Roma, something that smells of permanence. Aside from too much chatter in the past few days, the promise of Zaniolo remaining falls in line with the club’s behavior (which has never put him up for sale and has not received offers for him either) and his entourage’s behavior, which now speaks more about the want to renew him than that of the Turin prospects.

The truth is the one that is shown on the field; that Zaniolo is a Roma player of physical power and talent like few others. Zaniolo is at the service of the team that is helping him to become great.