Jose Mourinho hits back at Roma fans after Nicolo Zaniolo was BOOED off the pitch against Genoa

Jose Mourinho has hit back at Roma supporters after Nicolo Zaniolo was booed off the pitch during Thursday’s win over Genoa. 

Roma booked their place in the quarter-finals of Copa Italia thanks to Paulo Dybala’s stunning strike after 64 minutes. 

Despite beating the Serie B side, Roma fans displayed their frustration at Zaniolo’s performance by booing him off the pitch in the closing stages of the game. 

Nicolo Zaniolo was booed off the pitch by Roma fans during their Coppa Italia win over Genoa 

Mourinho has come to the defence of the forward, insisting it’s wrong of supporters to single out individuals instead of the whole team. 

‘It seems to me that he was booed at the substitution and I’m sorry because one of the things that makes me proud in staying here are the numbers of the Olimpico which is always sold out,’ Mourinho said. 

‘It is not my responsibility but I am very pleased. Empathy has been around for a long time. People are aware that the group gives its best and I’m sorry for booing Zaniolo because he is an example of a guy who gives his best. 

Jose Mourinho has hit back at Roma fans, insisting they should not target individuals 

‘I learned from an early age that when you give your best, you don’t have to give more, even when you go to school. My story in Rome is small but maybe people will listen to me. 

‘They can boo the team, the result, whatever they want but not individual. When there is a person who takes a salary from Roma and then criticizes the players in front of the microphones, he opens the door to boos and people listen to him. 

‘I’m sorry for Zaniolo and I’m sorry that my club doesn’t have the strength to go straight, because in these situations you have to do it’.

Zaniolo has struggled for form this season, scoring twice in 17 appearances in all competitions 

Zaniolo will be remembered in the Roma history books after scoring the winner in the Europa Conference League final last season. 

But the 23-year-old has struggled for form this season, scoring twice in 17 appearances across all competitions. 

Despite Zaniola’s poor form, Roma are in contention for a top-four spot in Serie A, three points behind fourth-placed Inter Milan. They’re also in the hunt for Europa League glory and will play RB Salzburg in the play-off stage next month.