The midfielder, who has enjoyed something of a whirlwind 2018-19 campaign so far, could make his latest appearance for the Giallorossi at Stadio Friuli, as Eusebio Di Francesco’s side look to pick up where they left off after the international break.
“Udinese will be a tough game, we need to make sure we start with the right focus and atttude,” Zaniolo told Roma’s match programme.
“Only after that game will we start to think about Real Madrid [in the Champions League].”
Signed in the summer from Inter Milan, Zaniolo has quickly made the step up from Primavera (Under-19) football to the senior squad – making his debut for Roma against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier in the season, before being summoned for the Italian national team soon after.
While the midfielder admitted the transition was not as easy as it looks, he has tried to take everything in stride so far.
“I had a bit of difficulty with the speed of things; in the Primavera you can react to the game quickly but amongst the best players you need to think before the ball gets to you,” he said.
“With Luca [Pellegrini] and Justin [Kluivert] I have a great relationship, we have shared a lot of experiences and spent time together and they have also helped me to settle in. It is important for us young guys to feel like the club and the coach has faith in us.
“The Real Madrid game was the realisation of a dream, to play against players that a few days before I was using on the PlayStation. The hardest thing was the wait for the game, the build-up. On the pitch I was only thinking about trying to play.”
Zaniolo added: “Every kid dreams of playing for the national team – for me it was a bit like the Bernabeu, a lot of excitement before – but once I was there I was thinking about only showing the best of me. Mancini told me to be calm and play.”
Zaniolo may be only starting his footballing adventure but he has a lot of experience to draw on – his father, Igor, was a professional footballer himself.
“My parents have been crucial, they have always supported me – even during the tough times,” Nicolo said. “It’s great to have a dad who played football, he is able to give me the right advice – on the pitch and away from it.”
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