Earlier on Wednesday, we covered some quotes from Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo, who hit back at critics in the Italian media after the game against Ukraine.
While he didn’t get on the scoresheet or provide an assist, the playmaker replied to his detractors on the pitch with a great all-around display, putting to bed the forgetful half against North Macedonia.
In fact, Gazzetta dello Sport dedicate quite a few column inches in their Wednesday edition praising the Aston Villa star, stating this was exactly what they have been wanting to see from such a talented player.
We’ll start with his 7/10 rating, where they immediately ask the question: ‘When was the last time he played such an intense and useful game for the team’.
They describe the Aston Villa summer signing as a ‘modern winger’, constantly creating opportunities for himself or the team, and drove his direct opponent, Ukraine’s Vitaliy Mykolenko, ‘crazy’.
Then, Gazzetta also dedicate a part of their coverage of the game to Zaniolo, explaining that Italy were dragged forward by ‘a surprise leader’ in the 24-year-old.
They would have expected someone like Nicolo Barrella to take on that role, but it seemed the Aston Villa player was so determined to prove everyone wrong that he played out of his skin, inspiring those around him to the 2-1 victory.
He was the one who ‘raised the team and used his physicality at everyone’s service’.
In short, Zaniolo will be returning to Birmingham with his head held high, much to the delight of Unai Emery and the whole of Italy.
