The words of the former Giallorossi player: “I don’t know how they will welcome me, I imagine that many were offended by my behaviour, but I understand them. I will focus on the match, we want the 3 points”
Nicholas ZanioloUdinese striker, gave a long interview to Messaggero Veneto, in which he retraced part of his experience at Roma, in view of Sunday’s match between the Giallorossi and Udinese. Here are his words.
The most famous 1-0 with Zaniolo’s goal was that of the Conference League final between Roma and Feyenoord. What memories do you have of that evening? “It was incredible. On the eve of the match we felt very strongly about it, Roma hadn’t won a title for years. That match was the crowning moment of an entire season. It was one of the best days of my life.”
With Roma that seemed to be a starting point. Then what happened? “All things have a beginning and an end. Leaving Rome was a very painful blow for me, it didn’t end well but I hope that everything will smooth out over time. My partner is from Rome and my son was born there.”
How do you imagine the reception at the Olimpico considering his “exaggerated” celebration after the goal in Roma-Atalanta a year ago? “I’ll start by saying that I wouldn’t do that celebration again. I made a mistake. I don’t know how they will welcome me, I imagine that many were offended by my behaviour, but I understand them. I will think about concentrating on the match also because Zaniolo will not be on the pitch against Roma, but Udinese. We want to take the three points.”
Lately you have been very self-critical about your Roma career. “I made mistakes and I acknowledged them. They are stages of life. At 18 I moved from Inter’s Primavera team to a top Italian club, I scored a double in the Champions League, it wasn’t easy to keep my head on my shoulders.”
Finally, two jokes also about the national team: “It is an objective that can only be achieved through performances against Udinese.”
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