Milena Bertolini, the coach of Italy’s women national team has caused controversy saying that Roma and Azzurri starlet Nicolò Zaniolo ‘must be educated.’

Zaniolo was sent off for dissent after seeing a potential late winner disallowed in Roma’s 0-0 draw against Genoa on Saturday.

“Zanilo is struggling a little bit lately, he must be helped and educated,” Bertolini said during the tv program 90 Minuto.

“The referee had to make his part and I can’t justify Zaniolo’s behaviour.”

Fair to say Roma fans are not impressed by Bertolini’s words as thousands of them have been complaining on social media over the last few hours.

Zaniolo has been in the spotlight lately after Roma coach Tiago Pinto said he can’t guarantee that the midfielder will be at the Stadio Olimpico next season.

However, Roma boss José Mourinho ensured that the 22-year-old won’t leave the capital during his time at the Stadio Olimpico. Both Mourinho and Zaniolo’s contracts expire in June 2024.

6 thought on “Bertolini’s judgement of Zaniolo causes controversy”
  1. I’m a fan of Zaniolo the player, I like him, but I mean, his disciplinary record speaks for itself. 8 yellow cards and 2 reds in 20 Serie A appearances really tells the whole story.

    He’s playing as an attacking midfielder/striker yet have more than twice the amount of his goals and as*ists in yellow and red cards!

  2. I feel for him yesterday tho. Sorry, but there’s no way that’s a foul. I don’t know if he said anything so bad to deserve a second yellow card, but it’s worth noting he didn’t get a straight red. Besides the fact that the ref could think about it, the fact is he received a yellow the moment before, in celebrating the goal. Maybe some would argue, but for me there’s no way to justify not rescinding the yellow for the shirt, in that case. Given everything, being thrown out is unfair. If he really said anything that was so bad, give him a straight red.

  3. I agree with Milan Fan, He does have talent but just like everybody, he still needs to improve his tecnique. He definitely needs to calm down as once a referee has been corrected by the VAR, there is no way you are going to change his mind. I would like to see players give referees more respect.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *