Zaniolo lost for words after Champions League brace lifts Roma

Roma sensation Nicolo Zaniolo was stunned by his two-goal haul in the team’s Champions League victory over Porto. 

Italian teenager Zaniolo scored both goals as Roma emerged 2-1 winners at home to Porto in the opening leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old, who joined Roma as part of Radja Nainggolan’s move to Inter in the off-season, became the youngest Italian player with a brace in the Champions League.

Afterwards, Zaniolo told Sky Sports Italia: “I have no words, it’s a memorable day. I’ll never forget it in my life.

“Now I want to focus on the return leg because the goal we gave up can be bothersome. We have to play like we did today without conceding anything to the opponents. 

“We had prepared it this way. I ran a lot, but I’m happy for the result. It’s a unique emotion to score under the Curva Sud, I can’t describe it. I hope to score many more.”

 Remember the name!

 Nicolò Zaniolo = youngest Italian player to score 2 goals in a #UCL match  pic.twitter.com/VUyYpQ1Xop

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 12, 2019

Roma were 2-0 ahead in the second half thanks to Zaniolo before substitute Adrian Lopez netted a priceless away goal for Portuguese visitors Porto.

“Obviously, we didn’t want to come here and suffer a defeat, but it was a very balanced game,” Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas told TVI. “We conceded that quickly-taken goal, then were unlucky on the second as the ball bounced right back into his path, but this can happen in football.

“I believe we did justice to our performance with that away goal and that means the tie is still open. Although Roma aren’t in the top four in Serie A right now, they do have great players, so we knew it’d be difficult.

“We believe that we can control the second leg and go through.”