Nicolò Zaniolo believes Roma ‘can win’ silverware under Jose Mourinho, starting with the Europa Conference League and semi-final against ‘classically-English side’ Leicester City.
The first leg of the Conference League semi-final is away to Leicester City on Thursday evening.
That spot was earned thanks to Zaniolo’s hat-trick in the quarter-final to sweep Norwegians Bodo/Glimt aside.
“It was the perfect game. We defended and attacked exceptionally well,” Zaniolo told UEFA.com.
“I am very happy because the hat-trick allowed the team to progress. On the first goal, when you see Lorenzo Pellegrini looking at you, just start running, because the ball is coming your way.”
Before that treble, the Italy international hadn’t scored at all since January 23 against Empoli, so it ended a drought with a downpour.
“Scoring goals has never been an obsession for me, as I prefer to just put in a great performance and win the game, even if I am not on the scoresheet.
“I have to admit, I could only dream of my first hat-trick being in a packed stadium with 65,000 people and the quarter-final of a European tournament. It was tough to imagine it could happen, but I had dreamed of it like that.
“The most significant nights of my career were the debut at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid, the brace past Porto and this hat-trick with Bodo/Glimt.”
Mourinho had dropped Zaniolo for some big games this season, most notably the Derby della Capitale against arch-rivals Lazio, but it helped fire him up.
“Mourinho is one of the best coaches in the world! He drilled into everyone the art of never giving up, always being on your toes, uniting as one to bring home results. We hope to win something with him. With a coach who knows how to win, I think we’ve got a better chance.
“Winning the Conference League would make us very proud, but it’d be a starting point and not a conclusion. I will admit, 14 years without a trophy is too long.
“The Roma fans have always been by my side, perhaps even more when I am not playing, so I can only thank them and say they will always be in my heart.”
Leicester City famously won the Premier League under Claudio Ranieri, so are no stranger to pulling upsets.
“It is a European semi-final, so naturally it’s going to be tough,” added Zaniolo.
“Leicester run hard, they are a very physical, classically-English side. However, we are Roma, we proved this season we can fight it out with anyone and we have no fear.”
Zaniolo incorona Mou: “Tra i più forti al mondo. Voglio vincere con lui” #Zaniolo #UECL #LeicesterRoma https://t.co/lw7IxAfWcC
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) April 25, 2022
Forza the Foxes!! 🦊🦊🦊
Forza mrs Rooney Janie
Don’t worry, Dybala will be win Roma the conference league next year. That’s according to the geniuses at football Italia, right? Surely they can afford 10m net wages. That makes total sense and is realistic.
mourinho is the best caoch in the world.
he special one in the global world .
mou is special one , he do it what he did , means he is the winner any time.
Never say die.. Roma will win under d “Special One”