Jose Mourinho said Roma were seen as “small” by Italy’s footballing powers after Nicolo Zaniolo was denied a last-gasp winner in his team’s goalless draw with 10-man Genoa which leaves their already slim Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.
Zaniolo, considered one of Italy’s most talented players, crashed home a powerful low finish from the edge of the area in the 91st minute at the Stadio Olimpico and then charged towards the wildly celebrating home supporters.
However the fans’ cheers turned to jeers when, after an on-field review by referee Rosario Abisso, Tammy Abraham was judged to have committed a foul when he stepped on Johan Vasquez’s foot in the build-up, leaving Roma four points behind fourth-placed Atalanta having played two games more.
Zaniolo, 22, was then sent off for his protests at the decision and had to be held back after the final whistle by Mourinho, who was livid after his 100th match as a Serie A coach ended in controversy.
“Roma are small in the eyes of the powerful… That red card is not being shown to Lautaro at the San Siro, or (Giorgio) Chiellini or Zlatan,” Mourinho said, insisting his player had not insulted the referee.
Roma are seventh, three points away from fifth-placed Juventus who host Verona on Sunday night with new boy Dusan Vlahovic set to make his debut for the 36-time Italian champions.
Vlahovic’s former team Fiorentina slumped to a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Lazio, who moved above Roma into sixth thanks to second-half goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ciro Immobile and Cristiano Biraghi’s late own goal.
AFP