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HAPPY AT UDINESE, NICOLò ZANIOLO STILL HOLDS ITALY DREAM STRONG

Nicolò Zaniolo is "very happy" at Udinese, apologises to Roma fans for past celebrations, and dreams of an Italy World Cup call-up. The on-loan midfielder has scored 4 goals in 10 games this season.

Happy At Udinese, Nicolò Zaniolo Still Holds Italy Dream Strong
Zaniolo Shares Thoughts On Udinese - Image Credit: ANSA

Nicolò Zaniolo is "quite pleased" in Udinese and shares his Italy World Cup dream, but he "understands" why Roma supporters are still upset.

At the Bluenergy Stadium, the 26-year-old has so far excelled this season, scoring four goals in ten games across Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

After loan stints with Aston Villa, Atalanta, and Fiorentina, he is now on loan from Galatasaray with a €10 million buyout option at the conclusion of the season.

"The way the season is going, I am really happy," Zaniolo said to Sky Sport Italia.

"After a strong first half, we were unlucky to lose our most recent game against Roma. We intend to carry on in this manner.


Roma supporters still have grudges toward Zaniolo.


The former Roma player received constant taunts and insults during the game at the Stadio Olimpico, primarily because of his previous visit and goal with Atalanta, but also because his raucous celebrations annoyed the supporters.

Given how we parted ways and the Atalanta celebration at the Olimpico, I can relate to them. We must go on, and I apologise to them one more time for that celebration. I believe Roma can compete to the end for the Scudetto since they have a very strong team.

After moving from Roma to Galatasaray in February 2023, Zaniolo's career halted. He hopes that Udinese will be the team that can eventually live up to those early aspirations.

"The admirers stop me in the street and exhibit their excitement, which makes me extremely happy here." Mr Runjaic has a friendly relationship with all of us, and I also get along well with the coach. Like a family, we are. Even though we use English more often than Italian, I can understand him rather well.

In spite of an injury crisis, coach Gennaro Gattuso did not call Zaniolo as Italy prepared for their final 2026 World Cup qualifiers before the playoffs.

"I did hope for a call; playing at the World Cup the next summer would be an absolute dream." I need to improve and demonstrate my abilities even more.

"I will just keep working since there is a lot of competition and the Nazionale has some excellent forwards. I am confident that this team has what it takes to make it to the World Cup, and we will succeed.

OFFICIAL: DAMIEN COMOLLI NAMED NEW JUVENTUS CEO AMID BIG CHANGES

Juventus appoints Damien Comolli as their new Chief Executive Officer, signalling a major shift in leadership. The data-driven executive is now tasked with leading the club's revival and transfer strategy.

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New Juventus CEO Damien Comolli - Image Credit: Juventus website

Earlier today, Juventus made a brief announcement announcing the significant expansion of Damien Comolli's involvement with the team.

At its meeting today, which was chaired by Gianluca Ferrero, the Board of Directors of Juventus Football Club S.p.A. ("Juventus" or the "Company") made decisions regarding, among other things, the appointment of corporate officers, the delegation of authority to the Directors, the formation of Board committees, and the selection of their members.

Damien Comolli's former role as General Manager was terminated concurrently with his appointment as Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors, which gave him executive authority largely consistent with the previous framework.

With the recent appointment of Luciano Spalletti as manager, the club has been in a period of transition for what seems like years since Andrea Agnelli left at the top. This seems like an attempt to establish the power structure and hopefully turn things around moving forward.

Comolli is a French football executive who began his career coaching and scouting young players before moving up to high-level executive roles. He has also provided recruitment advice to other clubs.

Known for his data-driven, "Moneyball" approach to player acquisition, he has served as president of Toulouse and held senior positions at teams including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Fenerbahçe. For Juventus, this will be a welcome shift from their history of paying free agents outrageous salaries that rendered them untradable.

After Cristiano Giuntoli left, Comolli took over as acting manager of transfer operations. In the past, he has worked as a sporting director at Saint-Étienne, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Fenerbahçe in addition to scouting for Arsenal.

MIDFIELDER ADRIEN RABIOT’S RETURN PIVOTAL, ANALYTICS PROVE HUGE TEAM INFLUENCE

AC Milan's stats reveal a stark contrast with and without Adrien Rabiot. Since his injury, the team has been inconsistent, underscoring his vital role as they prepare for the crucial derby against Inter.

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Rabiot's comeback is essential, stats emphasise crucial influence - COURTESY/PHOTO

Adrien Rabiot has not played for AC Milan since the international break in October, and the team's statistics indicate they need him back for the derby.

Rabiot is 30 years old and has played in 212 games for Juventus, 56 for the French national team, and 227 for PSG. He has a wealth of experience, and Massimiliano Allegri clearly values him because he immediately adapted to the team days after arriving in the summer.

The midfield player has been sidelined for a month due to a muscle injury he received while travelling with France in October. All indications, however, suggest that he will return to play against Inter on November 23, particularly because Les Bleus have not called him up and have permitted him to stay at Milanello.

Milan is considerably more balanced with Rabiot. They have won three, drawn one, and—most importantly—only let up one goal (a penalty) versus Napoli in their four league games with him on the field.

Before the injury sustained while representing France, Adrien had never been substituted and was consistently a starter. They are the midfield's brains, along with Luka Modric, who has started all 11 league games so far.

Five additional games have been played after he was injured while playing for the national team, but the results have been far less consistent: two victories, three draws, and six goals let up. When you factor in the Cremonese loss in the first round, it comes to 12 points and eight goals given up in eight games.

Rabiot's input is essential. Modric has the ideal assistant playmaker in him, but that is not all. The club has a player who can influence the game in both phases thanks to their intelligence, passing, and dynamism.

He is an all-around player, and when toughness is needed, like during Parma's collapse over the weekend, his size really helps. His return is much needed, especially considering the pressure Milan will face in the derby

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