In the aftermath of Roma’s impressive 4-1 victory over Lecce, Claudio Ranieri expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance during the post-match interviews. The Giallorossi demonstrated resilience and skill, bouncing back from recent struggles in Serie A.
“The performance was strong, just as I asked for,” Ranieri stated. “We faced a team that is used to fighting, and we needed to match their intensity. If we had more quality, we had to show it later on. But you must equal their desire to battle for every ball, and the team did just that.”
Ranieri emphasized the importance of individual confidence, noting that several players needed this boost to regain their self-esteem. “I’m happy because many individuals needed this trust and self-confidence, and they delivered a good performance,” he added.
The match saw a pivotal moment when Ranieri introduced young midfielder Nicolò Pisilli early in the second half. “We were outnumbered in midfield, so it made sense to strengthen our presence there by bringing in Pisilli,” he explained. “He’s a great player who brings determination and knows how to score. He’s young but already has a bright future ahead.”
Ranieri also addressed the ongoing situation with Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has been struggling with form. “Pellegrini is going through a tough time; he feels the weight of expectations,” said Ranieri. “He needs to play with more ease. I believe he will return to smiling and playing freely again.”
Reflecting on his milestone of reaching 100 games as Roma’s coach, Ranieri remarked, “You reminded me of this tonight; I hadn’t thought about it at all. It fills me with pride.” He recalled his first match in charge against Empoli, where Roma secured a last-minute victory.
