Roma director Tiago Pinto confirms Nicolò Zaniolo ruled himself out of the Fiorentina game with a stomach bug, while he shrugs off tension with Jose Mourinho. ‘We are all united.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.
There was already a great deal of attention around Zaniolo after he was jeered by his own fans during Thursday’s 1-0 Coppa Italia victory over Genoa.
Inevitably, eyebrows were then raised when it was announced this afternoon that the Italy international was not going to be in the squad at all, officially due to a stomach bug.
Speaking to DAZN before kick-off, Roma director Tiago Pinto clarified the situation.
“Nicolò told us he had a gastrointestinal problem and a fever, he will be seen by the doctor tomorrow. I doubt he got fever and a stomach bug from being jeered…”
Mourinho did not seem to share Tiago Pinto’s belief that this Roma squad has the capabilities to push for a Champions League spot this season.
“I do not comment on his statements and he does not comment on mine, because we spend so much time together at the Trigoria training ground that we do all our commenting there.
“We are all united and work together to carry on the project and bring home results.”
Roma are eager to sell players like Rick Karsdorp and Eldor Shomurodov who are no longer part of their plans, but are finding it difficult to place them with other clubs.
“There are two weeks to go, the transfer market in general in Italy is a bit static at the moment, so we will see what happens. We want to be creative and find the best solution to improve the squad, but also know that we have certain limits we need to stick to.”
Zaniolo, like Scamacca, looks to be yet another one of those Italian talents who does not have the hunger, focus, maturity, and professionalism to reach his potential.
Zaniolo needs a psychologist to pull out of his present state of mind.