Nicolò Zaniolo
UDI
Silent in cameo versus Milan
Zaniolo (thigh) registered one shot (zero on goal), completed five passes and won one of two tackles in 27 minutes in Sunday's 2-0 loss to AC Milan.
Analysis: Zaniolo came off the bench as expected and had a couple of interesting bursting runs, but couldn't properly lift the offense and power his team to a good result. The coach suggested he'd play more versus Parma, but it remains to be determined whether he'll start. Zaniolo has taken at least one shot in all three outings, totaling six (zero on target) and adding five key passes, seven crosses (one accurate) and four corners, with no goal contributions.
Bench option versus Milan
Zaniolo (thigh) "will be available but won't start Sunday, as he needs to be managed after his two injuries," coach Kosta Runjiac announced.
Analysis: Zaniolo will be back after missing the last two matches, and five of the last six, but he will be eased into action this time. He has tallied five shots (zero on target), five key passes and seven crosses (one accurate) in his two outings. Either Giorgi Chakvetadze or Unai Gomez will draw another start in the role.
Suffers relapse of thigh issue
Zaniolo will sit out three to four weeks because of a right biceps femoris strain, Udinese relayed.
Analysis: Zaniolo will return to the sidelines shortly after coming back from a three-week absence caused by the same type of injury. Udinese could be more cautious this time. Unai Gomez and Giorgi Chakvetadze will replace him in the hole like in recent matches.
Leaves Italy setup
Zaniolo has withdrawn from international duties due to a muscular problem, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
Analysis: Zaniolo returned in the last Serie A game before the break after tending to a thigh injury, but wasn't available for the first Nations League fixture on the schedule and was sent back a few days later. He'll be assessed by the Udinese doctors to see whether he's nursing a new injury or whether he hasn't recovered fully from the previous one. He's tentatively considered questionable for October 12's clash with Torino.
Plays one half against Cagliari
Zaniolo (thigh) created three scoring chances and had two shots (zero on target), five crosses (zero accurate) and three corners in 45 minutes in Saturday's 1-0 defeat versus Cagliari.
Analysis: Zaniolo had a sound performance in his return from injury and put up stats across the board on offense, but he was managed to avoid a relapse and was subbed off at the interval. He'll work on his fitness with Italy. He has recorded five shots (zero on target), five chances created and seven crosses (one accurate) in his two appearances so far.
Returning against Cagliari
Zaniolo (thigh) "will be present Saturday, and we're deciding whether from the start or off the bench," coach Kosta Runjiac announced.
Analysis: Zaniolo will be back after sitting out three games and could unseat Unai Gomez right away if he's not at risk of re-injuring himself. He has posted three off-target shots, two chances created and two crosses (one accurate) in his lone showing thus far.
Suffers thigh injury
Zaniolo sustained a right biceps femoris strain against Como and will be out for three to four weeks, Udinese announced.
Analysis: Zaniolo had left the game at the 89th minute in what appeared to be a routine sub. Instead, he picked up a muscular issue that will cost him three or four matches. Unai Gomez and Lennon Miller are next in line in the pecking order.
Logs three attempts in Como clash
Zaniolo created two scoring chances and registered three shots (zero on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Como.
Analysis: Zaniolo was dynamic as usual in the final third, co-pacing his team in attempts alongside Idrissa Gueye, but his teammates didn't fully take advantage of a pair of his brilliant feeds. He seemed to be simply cramping up while leaving the game in the 89th minute. After resolving a contract-related saga with Udinese, he'll look to build on last season's solid campaign, during which he totaled five goals, six assists, 72 shots (22 on target) and 51 key passes in 32 showings.
Bought out by Udinese
Zaniolo signed a contract until 2029 after Udinese picked up their option to redeem him from Galatasaray.
Analysis: Zaniolo finds a permanent home after several subpar loan spells thanks to a bounce-back campaign during which he stayed healthy, had a prominent role from the get-go and tallied five goals, six assists, 72 shots (22 on target) and 51 chances created in 32 appearances (28 starts).
Suffers back injury
Zaniolo will miss the last two matches of the season because of a back problem, Udinese announced.
Analysis: Zaniolo isn't dealing with anything too serious, but won't be able to participate in the final two contests versus Cremonese and Napoli. He closes a bounce-back campaign with five goals and six assists in 32 appearances and is widely expected to be bought out by Udinese following multiple loan spells. Keinan Davis, Adam Buksa, Idrissa Gueye and Vakoun Bayo will play in the two-man frontline sans him.
Routine showing against Cagliari
Zaniolo created one scoring chance and registered one shot (one on goal), three crosses (one accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 2-0 victory versus Cagliari.
Analysis: Zaniolo wasn't as effective as in some recent tilts but still picked up stats across the board in the final third, extending his ongoing streaks in every key offensive category. He has sent in multiple crosses in the last 12 rounds, totaling 58 deliveries (16 accurate) and adding 27 corners and 23 key passes over that span. Additionally, he has fired at least one shot in the last eight fixtures, racking up 20 attempts (seven on target) and assisting twice during that stretch.
Offensive machine
Zaniolo generated three shots (one on goal), eight crosses (two accurate) and four corners in Monday's 3-3 draw against Lazio.
Analysis: Zaniolo didn't get a goal or assist in a rare letdown by the Lazio defense, but this was a tough unit in general in Serie A play. The attacker should have better stats if he keeps up this volume against Torino, a side which has allowed 56 goals in Serie A this season.
Pulls the strings in defeat
Zaniolo registered four shots (one on goal), nine crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Saturday's 1-0 defeat versus Parma. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 70th minute.
Analysis: Zaniolo led the Udinese attack Saturday with four shot attempts (one on goal), nine crosses (one accurate) and four corners as they were held at-bay in a 1-0 home loss to Parma. Across his last five appearances (five starts), the attacker has supplied two assists and created six chances from 20 crosses (four accurate) and eight corners. Zaniolo has been named to the Udinese starting XI in nine successive Serie A fixtures.
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