The words of the Yellow-Reds’ coach: “I’m pleased with the boys’ performance. They gave it their all. “I’m glad that our fans got to see the team fight with determination.”

Claudio Ranieri spoke at the end of the drawn match against Tottenham. Here are his words:

RANIERI ON SKY

An exciting match, the likes of which we haven’t seen for a long time. “Tonight, you’ve gone far beyond the performance asked of yesterday.” “Yes, the boys truly played a great game. I had not been pleased with the game played against Napoli. Yes, we had defended, but I do not like to defend. We had to respond blow by blow and that was not the message I wanted to give to the team and the fans. Today, however, I have been very clear, maybe I didn’t explain myself well enough in Naples. I don’t want a team that locks itself in, it must constantly be on the attack. “If they take an action, we must also do the same. I believe that fans of every team love a team that attempts to win more, then you might succeed or not, but no one likes a team that stays closed off behind me.” Therefore, I have been very explicit with each of them about what they needed to do, so this time I made myself very clear. They have responded wonderfully because they never gave up. The outcome is significant, but only to an extent. I want performance, I want to show the fans that you are there because you are skilled. You can’t have forgotten how to play football.”

On Hummels. “Those are instances that only VAR is able to detect, having arrived a tenth of a second delayed. I haven’t seen it yet, so I say this – if the referee let it continue then, for him, it was normal. These are people with an incredible experience, it was a reference point behind the scenes, providing tranquility and security. “He has gone to press high, and yet he is not in his true form yet, hence I am convinced that this lad can do extremely well in Roma’s defense. The fans will be overjoyed to have found the champion they saw in Germany.”

Are you willing to take some risks on the field, to stretch yourselves, to give more? “Yes, well this is exactly what I asked for: ‘I’m not interested in the result, I want you to give all your energy and resources.’ It’s logical, they have incredible sprinters, I complimented Postecoglou because I appreciate this spirit he has instilled in the team, always attacking and trying to win. “We were good because we surprised them by constantly changing our line of attack. Later, we weren’t as precise in landing it until we finally succeeded.” “His team showed courage, does he believe that this performance can hasten the process of eliminating negativity? How is Dybala?”

“I don’t think one swallow can make a spring. We have to work hard, only then can we have good games and results. This match is significant as it reminded them that they haven’t forgotten how to play football. Dybala, in the last 20 days, has had so little training that half a game is more than enough; gradually, he will return to form and be able to play the full 90 minutes. “I didn’t feel like taking that risk, he had done well in the first half because the goalkeeper made a wonderful save, but it’s alright the way it is,”

“Could this game in London be the ringing bell of St. Peter? “Let’s hope so,” he responded with a chuckle.

RANIERI AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE

How exciting was the match for you? “I’m pleased with the performance of the boys. They gave it their all. “I am glad that our fans got to see the team fight with determination. The team never gave up, and these are the things I appreciate the most.” On Hummels. “It’s those penalty kicks where the one who arrives first, wins. The VAR has confirmed that Sarr was indeed the first to arrive. He continues to demonstrate commitment in training and has delivered a game of real substance. “It’s not easy against the speedsters of Tottenham. He earned the equalizing goal because he fought like a lion until the end.”

Can we talk about a revival of Rome? “I’m pleased. I needed the on-field response. In Naples, what had disappointed me was the fact that we hadn’t counteracted blow for blow, but tonight, we did just that. I did not expect such a response. I have showered praise on Postecoglu. I love this style of gameplay because it’s what sets the audience on fire. Fans must know that we intend to do something like this. Tottenham had its chance on the counter-attack, but this is normal. “We played against a great team, but I saw a phenomenal Roma that never gave up, and the equalizing goal was the culmination of their efforts,” reported the commentator.

He had previously asserted that he would retire. “Is he happy not to have done it?”
“Let’s see how the championship ends (he laughs). I wanted to tour the world and I had said I wanted to retire; as a coach, I only see hotels and airports. Deep down in my heart, I knew there were two teams that could call me back. One of these was Roma. “If Roma needed me, it means they were not in a good place. And I hoped this wouldn’t happen.”

He was taken aback by Roma’s attitude. “I envisioned it this way because I asked the boys if perhaps I had not explained myself thoroughly in Naples. “I wanted them to fight blow for blow, and I told them all what I expected from them. I said we shouldn’t back down because they are talented.” Hummels is an immense champion, he was late and the VAR rightly condemned us. A true champion never gives up. “He’s an exemplary man, and I’m counting on him to give the team strength.”

How is Dybala? “He has no problems at all.” “It was a technical decision because I didn’t want to risk him after a few weeks of physical issues. He had given me everything he had,” expressed in a sensational and emphatic tone typical of news reports. Your prompt is missing a piece of HTML text to be translated into English. Could you please provide it?