Nicolò Zaniolo
UDI
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.
Select Player
Search and select a player to compare