Gianfranco Zola, in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, shared his impressions on the teams in the Champions League, focusing in particular on Inter, Napoli, Roma and Como.
In the first segment, Zola spoke about Inter and Pio Esposito, defining him as "a future of the national team". The coach compared the young midfielder to Luca Toni due to his movements and difficulty in being moved, and mentioned Vieri as another figure he had been compared to, underlining the latter's speed long-term.
As for Napoli, Zola highlighted Vergara, describing him as a winger with quality, pace and dribbling, who is not afraid to take on responsibility. He commented on his playing style and the way he presents himself on the pitch, highlighting his ability to “jump the man”.
In Roma, attention shifted to Malen, to whom Zola reported having seen him in action during a match between Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund. The commentator said that Malen “can make a difference anywhere” and that he still has a lot to give. He also mentioned Dybala as a reference in the context of Italian football.
Finally, Zola spoke about Como, citing Nico Paz as a complete player who could inherit Messi's number 10. He praised his ability to be the centerpiece of a “fabulous” Como team alongside players like Perrone, Baturina and Diao, and expressed hope for another talent on the way.
Overall, Zola underlined that Liberali, despite paying for the competition, is already a future top player who just needs to raise the level, and suggested that Como will be able to help him grow. The interview ends with an invitation to follow the evolution of the teams and players mentioned in the coming weeks.