Newly appointed Roma coach Claudio Ranieri expressed his determination to turn the team’s fortunes around following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Napoli, decided by a goal from former Roma player Romelu Lukaku. This match marked Ranieri’s third debut as the Giallorossi’s manager, and he took the opportunity to address the media about the challenges ahead.
In his post-match interview, Ranieri reflected on the performance, stating, “If we go backward, we have problems; that’s why I was called. We played against a team fighting to win the championship.” He acknowledged that while errors were made during the game, there was a clear desire within the squad to embark on a new path. He noted, “The double substitution at halftime aimed to help us retain possession better; in fact, we had more of the ball in the second half.”
Ranieri also discussed his decision to bring Paulo Dybala onto the pitch late in the game. “I took a risk with him because I thought, ‘either it works or it doesn’t.’ There were ten minutes left; he has that spark that can create something out of nothing,” he explained. He expressed optimism about Dybala’s recovery and hinted at his potential availability for the upcoming match against Tottenham.
Addressing the need for leadership from experienced players, Ranieri emphasized their role in fostering a positive environment. “They must have the right personality to help themselves first and then others,” he said. He described his initial impression of the team as somewhat closed off but expressed his commitment to restoring their confidence and encouraging open communication. “In the second half, we held onto the ball more, even if we didn’t create many clear chances. The players and I know there’s work to be done,” he added.
Ranieri concluded with a rallying cry for resilience: “Now we must not wallow in self-pity; we need to react.”
