Zola compares Vardy to Chiesa and comments on Roma-Leicester City
According to Gianfranco Zola, the Giallorossi should be like Leicester City in terms of intensity and he compared Jamie Vardy to Enrico Chiesa, the former Serie A star.
will lock horns with
Leicester Cityin the Conference League semi-finals’ first leg on Thursday. The Serie A side have an opportunity to win their first trophy since the Coppa Italia in 2008, under the reign of Luciano Spalletti.
Gianfranco Zola
was quizzed about his expectations from the game and what he thinks the most demanding task for Roma is.
“Leicester City will put intensity. Brendan Rodgers’ teams always want to control the game through the possession. Roma must defend well, avoid leaving gaps and keep a close eye on Jamie Vardy,”
the ex-
Chelseastar said.
“He [Vardy] is the best striker in the Premier League when it comes to attacking space.
“He is extraordinary, he is quick and has the right tempo. As they say in England, he is cool in front of the goalkeeper. He can score in any way. He is similar to Chiesa [Enrico]. His shooting is not as smooth, but he is a better header.”
Chiesa and Zola featured for Roma but they were not teammates as the Magic Box made a move to Chelsea in 1996 when Chiesa joined the Stadio Tardini.
“Roma must make the most of the opportunities conceded by Leicester. They can hurt them but can’t be too exposed because Leicester have physical and technical qualities even if their results this season are not as good as in the past,”
Zola continued.
“The Giallorossi must be prepared to play at a high pace, the big difference between Serie A and Premier League is the intensity. In England, you don’t have time to think when you get the ball. You must think quickly, so being able to face these situations can be helpful for Roma.”
Nicolo Zaniolo netted a hat-trick in the battle against Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of the last eight, but was not playing the previous two matches in Serie A as he had an ankle injury. It is yet to be known whether he will be included in the starting XI tomorrow; however, Zola was asked whether he would play in the Premier League one day.
“Yes, but he is not the only one. It all depends on how you adapt. That was true of me, Roberto Di Matteo and Gianluca Vialli, even if we joined Chelsea coming from the best league in the world and that was helpful.”
He also talked about Tammy Abraham, the ex-Chelsea striker.
“Tammy has important qualities and enthusiasm. Italy is helping him grow, he must continue like this.”
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