Claudio Ranieri addressed the media in a press conference on the eve of Roma’s Europa League playoff match against Porto. The Italian coach discussed his expectations for the game, the qualities of his opponents, and his team’s current challenges, including the role of Lorenzo Pellegrini and Roma’s struggles away from home.
When asked about Porto’s strengths, Ranieri praised their technical abilities and pressing style. “Porto has excellent ball possession, great technical quality, and they press a lot. They have interesting players. We will need to play a great game,” he said. He emphasized the importance of focus, adding, “The first thing is to stay concentrated. I expect an aggressive Porto. We know how they play, and we need to play with intensity and naturalness. I want a Roma that plays the same way at home and away. We are not yet at the level I want for my football, but the boys are working very hard.”
Regarding Lorenzo Pellegrini’s status as a starter, Ranieri was clear in his support for the player. “All my players are starters. He is an important player, and I respect him a lot. Decisions about the bench depend on preferring certain players for specific matches. I know what he can offer,” Ranieri explained.
The coach also addressed Roma’s inconsistency in away games, offering a candid assessment of their struggles. “We face stronger teams. Como is a strong team—you’ll see how much trouble they’ll cause others. We are working to always give our best,” he remarked.
Ranieri acknowledged that tomorrow’s match could be pivotal for both teams. “I’m curious because Porto is in a similar situation to us. They are a very young team with talented players. Both Porto and Roma are currently below what they traditionally represent. Whoever wins this tie will gain confidence and self-belief,” he said.
Commenting on tactical choices, Ranieri dismissed concerns about defensive formations being an issue for Roma’s struggles. “We concede goals because we don’t press well in midfield. We always concede from through balls, regardless of the defensive setup. Whether you lose 2-0 or 1-0 doesn’t change much; if you’re losing, you try to come back,” he explained.
Ranieri also shared his thoughts on Porto’s coach and players, offering praise while maintaining focus on his own team’s objectives. “I think highly of Conceicao; he’s done well, even fixing Milan when needed,” Ranieri joked before adding about Porto’s young squad: “They are probably the youngest team in Portugal with high-quality young players, making it difficult to press them.”
On Anselmi, Porto’s young coach, Ranieri expressed admiration: “It’s nice that Anselmi used to watch me when he was 12 years old at Valencia. He’s a smart guy—if at 38 he’s leading a team like Porto, I have to congratulate him.”
Ranieri concluded by highlighting the challenge ahead: “Porto has an excellent team with talented young players who can counterattack or play organized football. Tomorrow will be a beautiful match.”
