Cristian Volpato’s goal and assist for Roma could catapult him into Socceroos contention.Credit:Getty
The Sydney-born teenager,who has played junior international football for Italy but is yet to declare for either nation,found the back of the net with a sweet first-time shot from the edge of Roma’s penalty area at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi in Verona on Tuesday morning (AEDT) – putting Mourinho’s men ahead 2-1 with two minutes of regular time left.
Then in added time,Volpato slipped a pass for Stephan El Shaarawy to extend their advantage and seal the three points against Hellas Verona,who were without injured Socceroos midfielder Ajdin Hrustic.
Volpato,18,was handed his maiden senior start in the UEFA Europa League last week against Finnish side HJK Helsinki,and is now on the cusp of cementing himself as a first-team regular at the Serie A club.
“This season,after having a taste of the first team,he signed a contract extension,and now he is a player with first-team quality. He’s young,he has a lot still to learn every day,but he’s already at the level required,” Mourinho said post-match.
“When I put him in it wasn’t me being crazy or taking an absurd risk. I didn’t know for sure that he was going to score the winning goal,but I knew he had the capability of doing so.”
Arnold is in regular contact with Volpato,who is at the centre of an international tug-of-war between Australia and Italy for his allegiance,but it remains to be seen whether he can find room in his squad to accommodate the midfielder.