Claudio Ranieri laid bare his feelings in a press conference just two days before Cagliari’s crucial relegation battle away to Udinese. It’s been an intense week for the Sardinian team, and the Roman coach wanted to share his perspective ahead of a potentially huge match in the relegation fight:
“I spoke to the team; we needed a shock. I told them I would resign, but the team opposed it. We all needed to fight, and I said, ‘Okay, let’s all fight to complete this mission.’ After all, the boys asked to go into retreat, and today, indeed, they will stay here,” Ranieri began in the press conference.
The Sardinian coach then spoke about how he feels about living through this period: “I believe that few, after Sunday’s match, would have had the support of their players. I was really down, but they lifted me up, they told me that we would have to fight together.”
Affection has never been lacking, even from the fans, who have always reiterated that only with Ranieri can Cagliari be saved. Regarding this, he commented: “It can only please me to hear these words. The fans are exceptional and have always been close to us.”
Finally, Ranieri concluded the press conference by talking about President Giulini: “There has been no discussion with him this week; there is no need.”
