Zaninelli played 29 games for Treviso in 2004–05 Serie B. The club missed the promotion after losing to Perugia in the playoffs semifinals. However Treviso later re-admitted to 2005–06 Serie A, after Caso Genoa and the bankrupt of Torino Calcio and Perugia. In August 2005, Zaninelli returned to Serie B as the club sold him to Cesena in co-ownership deal, for a peppercorn of €500. He spent 2 seasons with the Emilia–Romagna club. In 2006–07 Serie B, Zaninelli made 22 starts. On 20 June 2007 Treviso bought back Zaninelli for a peppercorn again. In July 2007 Zaninelli left for Serie B struggler Spezia along with Giovanni Fietta and Davide Saverino. Treviso had purchased Leonardo Bonucci as centre-back from Internazionale. Zaninelli only able to play 15 starts with the Ligurian club. The club finished as the bottom. It was followed by the relegation and bankruptcy. Zaninelli returned to Veneto in 2008. Along with Bonucci (who left in January), Zaninelli was one of the defender of the Serie B struggler. Zaninelli made 9 starts and the club also relegated, and again folded.