Many Aston Villa fans criticised Nicolò Zaniolo on social media despite a 3-1 win over Luton on Sunday, but stats don’t justify such a negative verdict on the Italy international, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.
‘Can we please not persist with Zaniolo starting?’ ‘Zaniolo off, villa score instantly. The least surprising thing to happen today.’ ‘What’s with all this Zaniolo hate I thought he was rated?’
These three random comments spotted on X sum up quite well the feeling of Aston Villa fans towards Italy international Zaniolo on Sunday, following their team’s 3-1 win over Luton Town in the Premier League.
Zaniolo started the game but was subbed off during the break. He has yet to score or assist for the Premier League side, but stats show his performance against Luton Town was not as bad as many believe.
He had 28 touches in 45 minutes, 86% passing accuracy, one key pass, one shot on target, two off target and three shots blocked.
True, he lost possession eight times and won just two ground duels from seven and one aerial duel from four. Nevertheless, his rating on Sofascore was 6.6, similar to Leon Bailey’s 6.7.
The Jamaica international replaced Zaniolo during the break, but his performance was not necessarily better than the Italian’s.
Bailey had 26 touches, 80% passing accuracy, two key passes, and just one shot off target. He lost possession seven times and won two duels, one aerial and one on the ground. Yet, Zaniolo received all the negative comments on Sunday.
The Italy international is trying to clear his name after being involved in a betting scandal in Italy. However, contrary to his compatriots Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Fagioli, there is no evidence Zaniolo ever bet on football and the ex-Roma forward has reiterated he never gambled on any match.
This is why he may receive a fine for using illegal apps, something he’s claimed he wasn’t aware of. However, he is not expected to receive a ban from the FIGC having not placed bets on football games.
Hopefully, for Zaniolo, Aston Villa fans won’t be blinded by his involvement in this betting scandal because the Italian seems to have done nothing wrong on a sporting level. Stats prove his performance against Luton Town was not as bad as many think. It will be up to him now to prove doubters wrong again.
He’s not that good. Totti said it ” he is not a champion, he lacks too much”, the one thing that gave him an edge pre ACL was his power and explosive speed.
He doesn’t have that anymore. He can’t shoot and his football IQ is lacking
lost possession EIGHT times, and you’re defending him? 😂