Tonight, he starts off on the bench, but a barrage of boos is ready should he enter the field.

It has been 698 days since Nicolò Zaniolo’s last match wearing the Roma jersey at the Olympic Stadium. It was the 4th of January, 2023: a 1-0 victory against Bologna. Then the following week he took to the field against Milan at San Siro. Since that trip to Milan, the former number 22 has not played again. After saying ‘no’ to Bournemouth, he sent a certified email to Roma requesting thirty days of rest due to severe emotional stress. This state of distress was triggered by an attack he had suffered just a few nights ago outside his home at the hands of a group of fans. The relationship with Roma’s fans had completely fallen apart following various absences in January (due to flu) and Mourinho’s words: “He no longer wants to wear the Roma jersey.” Zaniolo, in a matter of months, had transitioned from hero to traitor. In May 2022, he had decided the Conference League final against Feyenoord, and in previous years, the fans had always supported him following his cruciate ligament rupture. After his departure, the South Stand attacked him with a banner: “For us, wearing that jersey means honoring it.” “For us, kissing that jersey means not betraying it.” Today, he returns to the Olympic Stadium, and if he steps onto the field, he may encounter jeers from spectators just like what happened when he wore the jersey of the National team.