Ranieri proud in defeat

Inter coach Claudio Ranieri praised his side’s performance despite their 2-1 home loss against Juventus on Saturday.

The Turin outfit inflicted a fifth league defeat of the season on Inter at the San Siro, with Mirko Vucinic and Claudio Marchisio scoring either side of a Maicon strike in an open and entertaining encounter.

But despite the disappointing result, Ranieri stated that he remains optimistic of a late title challenge.

“I am satisfied with the performance, especially in the first half,” Ranieri told reporters. “They scored with the only two chances they had.”

“We must not look at the table, because there are 84 points still available to gain. Surely it is better to win than to lose, but there are still many points to be won.”

“Are Juventus Scudetto-worthy? Yes, the side is working well. But I have not given up. The game was equal. All in all, I did not see Juventus dominance.”

Inter now turn their attention to Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Lille at the San Siro, with Ranier’s side currently sitting atop Group B.

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Chelsea Boss Carlo Ancelotti Linked With Vacant Roma Manager Post as Claudio Ranieri Resigns

4 comments by Christian Bailey on February 21st, 2011

Stamford Bridge boss linked with return to former stamping ground.

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I´m not going anywhere: Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri is adamant he will not resign from Roma despite protests calling for the coach’s removal on Saturday.

About 200 fans had to be dispersed by police after they hurled fireworks and flares into Roma’s training ground on Saturday morning, angered by the Serie A club’s run of poor form.

Roma were defeated 3-2 at home by Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League on Wednesday, and sit a lowly eighth in the Italian league following back-to-back losses.

But Ranieri is determined to ride out Roma’s latest slump and remain at the club he supported as a child.

“Relax, I’m not going anywhere. I will not abandon the ship,” Ranieri said ahead of Roma’s trip to Genoa on Sunday.

“I won’t leave mid-season. It is a difficult situation, so as a native Roman I feel twice as bad, but I don’t like to give in. I have always faced challenges head-on and will continue to do so.”

American consortium Di Benedetto are believed to be close to purchasing the cash-strapped club from Rosella Sensi, and reports from Italy have suggested the potential new owners may be planning to oust Ranieri from the position he has held since 2009.

But the 59-year-old believes he may be in line for a contract extension should the American group take over at the Stadio Olimpico.

“The Sensi family is selling up, while there is a new buyer who still has to complete the process. I received positive messages that they want to renew my contract, but we cannot rush these things,” Ranieri said.

“You have to consider the situation when I arrived, as there was no money and I knew it was an extremely difficult situation.”

“I could’ve easily walked away last season, knowing the next term would be tough. However, that would’ve been like betraying myself.”

“The fans want to see a team that gives everything on the field. They are focusing on tomorrow’s game against Genoa and want results.”

“They couldn’t care less about club plans and strategies for the future.”

Sat 19 February, 2011

I´m not going anywhere: Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri is adamant he will not resign from Roma despite protests calling for the coach’s removal on Saturday.

About 200 fans had to be dispersed by police after they hurled fireworks and flares into Roma’s training ground on Saturday morning, angered by the Serie A club’s run of poor form.

Roma were defeated 3-2 at home by Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League on Wednesday, and sit a lowly eighth in the Italian league following back-to-back losses.

But Ranieri is determined to ride out Roma’s latest slump and remain at the club he supported as a child.

“Relax, I’m not going anywhere. I will not abandon the ship,” Ranieri said ahead of Roma’s trip to Genoa on Sunday.

“I won’t leave mid-season. It is a difficult situation, so as a native Roman I feel twice as bad, but I don’t like to give in. I have always faced challenges head-on and will continue to do so.”

American consortium Di Benedetto are believed to be close to purchasing the cash-strapped club from Rosella Sensi, and reports from Italy have suggested the potential new owners may be planning to oust Ranieri from the position he has held since 2009.

But the 59-year-old believes he may be in line for a contract extension should the American group take over at the Stadio Olimpico.

“The Sensi family is selling up, while there is a new buyer who still has to complete the process. I received positive messages that they want to renew my contract, but we cannot rush these things,” Ranieri said.

“You have to consider the situation when I arrived, as there was no money and I knew it was an extremely difficult situation.”

“I could’ve easily walked away last season, knowing the next term would be tough. However, that would’ve been like betraying myself.”

“The fans want to see a team that gives everything on the field. They are focusing on tomorrow’s game against Genoa and want results.”

“They couldn’t care less about club plans and strategies for the future.”

Sat 19 February, 2011

Ranieri expects Napoli challenge

Claudio Ranieiri is under no illusions about the threat Napoli pose to Roma ahead of their clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Napoli are second on the Serie A table, just three points behind league leaders AC Milan and seven points ahead of Ranieri’s Roma.

But they lost their last match 2-0 at Chievo, leading former Chelsea and Juventus boss Ranieri to detect a potential weakness in Napoli when they are playing away from home.

“I’m expecting a very difficult match,” Ranieri said.

“Napoli have got to where they are in the table because they deserve being there, they are playing excellent in the league ? not as well away from home, but they know how to counterattack and use spaces that most others don’t.”

“We have a great team and they will manage (to) stop them.”

Roma lost 5-3 away to defending champions Inter Milan last time out, but Ranieri insists the reverse had little effect on the morale of his squad.

“Luckily, we don’t read too much into a result and manage to resist whatever gets thrown at us,” Ranieri said.

“We don’t win a match and think we have won the championship and when we lose a match, we pick ourselves up and move on.”

“We have the right balance and have already shown that. The team is in good shape, we are focused, we are determined and it will be a great match.”

Fri 11 February, 2011

Ranieri expects Napoli challenge

Claudio Ranieiri is under no illusions about the threat Napoli pose to Roma ahead of their clash at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Napoli are second on the Serie A table, just three points behind league leaders AC Milan and seven points ahead of Ranieri’s Roma.

But they lost their last match 2-0 at Chievo, leading former Chelsea and Juventus boss Ranieri to detect a potential weakness in Napoli when they are playing away from home.

“I’m expecting a very difficult match,” Ranieri said.

“Napoli have got to where they are in the table because they deserve being there, they are playing excellent in the league ? not as well away from home, but they know how to counterattack and use spaces that most others don’t.”

“We have a great team and they will manage (to) stop them.”

Roma lost 5-3 away to defending champions Inter Milan last time out, but Ranieri insists the reverse had little effect on the morale of his squad.

“Luckily, we don’t read too much into a result and manage to resist whatever gets thrown at us,” Ranieri said.

“We don’t win a match and think we have won the championship and when we lose a match, we pick ourselves up and move on.”

“We have the right balance and have already shown that. The team is in good shape, we are focused, we are determined and it will be a great match.”

Fri 11 February, 2011

Safety an issue in snow: Ranieri

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri said it was unfortunate their Serie A clash with Bologna was postponed due to snow.

Just 17 minutes of play was completed when referee Luca Banti decided to call off the the game after heavy snow landed on the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara pitch.

“After the referee spoke to the captains, he discussed it with myself and Alberto Malesani,” Ranieri said.

“Both teams wanted to play, as with such a packed fixture list between the Champions League, Coppa Italia and Serie A, finding a free day will not be easy.”

“However, the most important thing was the safety of the players. After a while the fourth official asked how we were feeling and I confirmed I was afraid for the lads.”

“All it takes in those icy conditions is one wrong move and you can do serious damage. Malesani agreed and at that stage the referee made the right decision in calling a halt to proceedings, as there was the genuine risk of a major injury.”

Marco Borriello incurred an injury while warming up for the match, and was replaced by Mirko Vucinic.

Mon 31 January, 2011

Ranieri ´happy´ to be linked to Liverpool

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri said he was pleased to be linked with the managerial position at Liverpool.

The 59-year-old has struggled to repeat his feats last season, where he led his hometown club to a second-place finish in the Serie A after being pipped by Inter Milan, who went onto win the Champions League, Club World Cup and Coppa Italia.

While Roma lie fourth in the Serie A, Ranieri has had a difficult season in charge and has been forced to face constant speculation about his position after a slow start and the ongoing rumours of a rift between himself and club legend Francesco Totti.

The constant pressure on Ranieri has made him ponder a return to the English Premier League and the former Chelsea boss did not deny rumours linking him with the Liverpool job.

“I am happy that a team like Liverpool are thinking about me,” Ranieri said after his side beat Cesena 1-0.

“I am very proud to lead the team of my home city, but there are pros and cons.”

When quizzed on Roma, Ranieri hopes that his side can improve their form on the road after they won just away from home for just the third time on Sunday.

“We have not won away from home very often this campaign and this is an important result for us,” he said.

“My players kept going until the end and were rewarded for such an approach with all three points.”

“It was not easy because Cesena made life difficult for us and we had to be patient and not give up hope. I hope this victory will mark a turning point for my team.”

Mon 17 January, 2011

Ranieri ´happy´ to be linked to Liverpool

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri said he was pleased to be linked with the managerial position at Liverpool.

The 59-year-old has struggled to repeat his feats last season, where he led his hometown club to a second-place finish in the Serie A after being pipped by Inter Milan, who went onto win the Champions League, Club World Cup and Coppa Italia.

While Roma lie fourth in the Serie A, Ranieri has had a difficult season in charge and has been forced to face constant speculation about his position after a slow start and the ongoing rumours of a rift between himself and club legend Francesco Totti.

The constant pressure on Ranieri has made him ponder a return to the English Premier League and the former Chelsea boss did not deny rumours linking him with the Liverpool job.

“I am happy that a team like Liverpool are thinking about me,” Ranieri said after his side beat Cesena 1-0.

“I am very proud to lead the team of my home city, but there are pros and cons.”

When quizzed on Roma, Ranieri hopes that his side can improve their form on the road after they won just away from home for just the third time on Sunday.

“We have not won away from home very often this campaign and this is an important result for us,” he said.

“My players kept going until the end and were rewarded for such an approach with all three points.”

“It was not easy because Cesena made life difficult for us and we had to be patient and not give up hope. I hope this victory will mark a turning point for my team.”

Mon 17 January, 2011

Streak can launch Roma: Ranieri

Roma boss Claudio Ranieri is hoping his team’s three-match winning streak will be the springboard that helps them climb the Serie A table.

After a disappointing start to the season, Roma moved up to fourth in the league following their 4-2 victory over Catania on Thursday.

They face a difficult trip to Sampdoria on Sunday but Ranieri is hoping his side can continue their positive run.

“It could be our springboard because we have had positive results in three consecutive matches,” Ranieri said.

“It seems strange but we have won three consecutive matches. We always say that these guys are not focused but sometimes we should just look at the basic facts.”

“We know it’s going to be a difficult match (against Sampdoria), but it can be our springboard.”

“We’re getting there and, while we are conscious of how strong our opponents and while we respect the opposition, we want to play at our best as we always try to do.”

Ranieri said he didn’t believe the loss of controversial striker Antonio Cassano would have a negative effect on Sampdoria’s form.

“Without Cassano everyone is more involved when it comes to the attacking side of the team,” Ranieri said.

“I’ve mentioned this to my players. Cassano was their focal point and he could increase or decrease Sampdoria’s actions.”

“Without him, everyone is playing for the two forward players. They will put in a lot of crosses and create a number of opportunities. It’s up to us to stop their actions.”

Sun 9 January, 2011

Ranieri eyes higher ground

Claudio Ranieri believes Roma need to come out firing when the Serie A season resumes if they are to make up ground on the league’s leaders.

Roma defeated table-toppers AC Milan 1-0 in their last match before the Italian winter break, but they are still seven points off the pace in fifth place.

They take on Catania at home on Thursday and Ranieri is expecting total commitment from his players as they attempt to improve their league position.

“I hope we’ll start with the same attitude and I’m sure we’ll start with the same determination,” Ranieri said.

“We should plug the gap and we want to go higher in the league, that’s what we’re working for.”

“It’s important to have the players ready and fit and then it’s possible to make the right choices. When there are great players who want to prove their skills, the coach isn’t worried because any choice will always be positive.”

“I’m not thinking about any specific player right now, I’m only focused on how to win against Catania.”

The 59-year-old former Chelsea and Juventus manager called on captain Franceso Totti and Brazilian recruit Adriano to start finding the net with regularity after subdued performances in the first half of the campaign.

“I expect a lot from Adriano since he still hasn’t scored a goal. I’m expecting a lot from (Francesco) Totti as well, as he’s scored a lot of goals in his career. I expect a lot from the captain,” he said.

“I also expect a lot from (Mirko) Vucinic as he has had some little injuries and only scored a few goals. (Jeremy) Menez also should keep on working hard and not stop. We’re trying to do a good job and we should prove we’re able to do it.”

Wed 5 January, 2011