Udinese defender Alessandro Zanoli has provided an update on his recovery from a knee injury and outlined his objectives for the upcoming season in an interview with Messaggero Veneto.
The 2000-born right-back is progressing well in his rehabilitation, stating he expects to rejoin full team training within three to four weeks, though acknowledges it will take additional time to be match fit. Zanoli’s recovery was aided by the fact his anterior cruciate ligament did not suffer a complete rupture, and assistance from his hamstring muscles provided stability to the knee.
Zanoli identified his defensive work as an area for improvement, though he noted he had made strides in that aspect of his game prior to the injury. His aim is to return to the level of condition he achieved before being sidelined. The defender also spoke positively about teammate Nicolò Zaniolo, describing him as a “fundamental” player for Udinese.
Zanoli joined Udinese in August 2022 on a loan deal from Napoli, with the move becoming permanent in January 2023. He has made 34 appearances for the club across all competitions, establishing himself as a key component of their defensive line. The injury occurred towards the end of last season, curtailing his involvement in Udinese’s late push for a European qualification spot.
Udinese recently secured a contract renewal for Zaniolo, further solidifying their squad ahead of the new Serie A campaign. The club will be looking to build on their impressive eighth-place finish last season, and Zanoli’s return to full fitness will be crucial to their ambitions. His ability to contribute both defensively and offensively makes him a valuable asset for manager Andrea Sottil.
