Antonio Cassano was not impressed with Roma’s performance against Genoa and he made a scathing comment about Nicolo Zaniolo.
The Giallorossi were left frustrated following their painful 0-0 draw with the Rossoblu on Saturday, and none more so than the 22-year-old Zaniolo, who received a red card in the dying minutes for protesting the referee’s decision to chalk off his last minute winner due to a foul in the build-up.
Speaking on BoboTV, Cassano first analysed Roma’s disappointing goalless draw against Genoa.
“Roma are playing badly and I don’t want to use excuses linked to incidents or anything else. Against Genoa you have to win because you’re stronger. Of those in the top half of the table I think the Giallorossi are the biggest disappointment.
“After the first few months with a very good football proposal, the candle has gone out. And I don’t know if it’s down to the 6-1 win over Bodo or the players or something else. For sure Mourinho needs to be given more time, but today the team is suffering, struggling and has no tactical idea. I don’t think Mourinho has yet managed to provide the stability the team needs.”
Cassano then highlighted that he was unconvinced by the talents of Zaniolo, who has become a hot topic in recent hours following Italy Women coach Milena Bertolini’s comments that he ‘should be educated’. She later clarified that this was meant in a sporting sense.
“When he’s healthy, with his physique he can score goals and make plays. But for me he’s not a great player. He doesn’t have the idea of passing, for example. He puts his head down and takes off.”
The 22-year-old Zaniolo is finally featuring regularly for Roma this season, having suffered cruciate ligament ruptures in both of his last two seasons with the Giallorossi. He has struggled to find consistency, scoring only two goals in 20 Serie A appearances this season.
#Cassano : "#Zaniolo, non è un grande giocatore"#ASRoma https://t.co/ikFdcOewKd
— Pagineromaniste.com (@PagineRomaniste) February 7, 2022