Roma sports chief Tiago Pinto has called on Italian football to protect Nicolo Zaniolo.

Zaniolo has been criticised in some quarters after his dismissal in their 0-0 draw with Genoa.

“Zaniolo is an asset not just for Roma, but also for Italian football, and I think that all of Italian football should be looking after him," Tiago Pinto told Sport Mediaset ahead of last night's Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat against Inter at San Siro.

However, Tiago also conceded: “If we look at the statistics, it's more like a centre-back than a forward like Nicolò. It is our job to protect him every day, but all of Italian football wants to get the best out of him.

“Zaniolo has a heart of gold, he's a great professional and nobody should judge him from a distance, because he really is a good kid. We are by his side."