Ranieri: “We lose away from home because they are stronger. Pellegrini is a key player.”
The Yellow-Reds coach had this to say: “Hummels and Paredes? At some point, you can see when they’re tired and right now they need to be ready to be on the field and know how to recover. My advice to Dybala is to enjoy himself.”
The mighty Roma is gearing up to face off against Porto tomorrow at the Do Dragao stadium in what promises to be an electrifying qualification playoff for the Europa League. The coach of the yellow-reds, Claudio Ranieri, spoke at a press conference on the eve of the challenge. Here are his words.
RANIERI ON SKY SPORT
Roma is once again playing tomorrow with the aim of changing the profile of the season.
“Yes, it’s very important for us to gradually return to what is expected of Roma, the club, the players, and everyone involved. “We are ready, we are in a good place, there’s self-esteem, conviction, and determination. We must demonstrate it in our actions, just as we are doing”. Theoretically, Roma is more experienced and technical, they are good in an open field. How do you envision the match?
“The idea of being more technical than the Portuguese leaves me astonished, and I find it hard to believe. “They are swift with Samu ahead. They have a boy born in 2007 who, in my opinion, is a phenomenal talent – that is Mora. He changes their pace.”
“Dybala has always been injury-prone, but not this time.” “What have you done to him?” (question by Capello, ed.)
“I’ve admired him since his days in Palermo and I’m familiar with his entire career trajectory. He is an immense player and at this moment, I have placed my faith in him, and he deserves it.” Belonging to a different league, they manage to stay tough and always stay in the game. I tell them to enjoy themselves, because it’s important to keep the inner child alive. These are professionals, but when all is said and done, they play because they’ve loved this sport since they were kids. I tell them to give it their all. When I see them tired, I substitute them. Every so often during the game, I ask him if he’s tired, and he always assures me he isn’t (laughs, editor’s note). I believe that’s the secret. We are mindful of the recovery phase, which is of utmost importance. Preparation is always a subjective and unique process. We are set to play tomorrow, we will return by 5, and we gear up to take the field this Sunday in Parma. The anticipation is palpable, the stakes high and excitement at its zenith. “Recovery is important.”
“Are Hummels and Paredes technical leaders or even locker room ones?”
“They are always important, I preferred to leave them free from every thought of soccer and not bring them to Venice. Ever since I arrived, they’ve always been playing and hardly train. There comes a point when you can see their fatigue. Right now, they need to be ready to be on the field and know how to recover. This current demand for resilience and endurance is a true test of their abilities and determination. “And I must be ready to make them train even more.”
Will Paredes and Hummels be in the starting line-up?
“They were on the plane, but we’ll see on the field.”
RANIERI IN PRESS CONFERENCE
What are the characteristics of Porto?
“Porto has excellent ball possession, high technical skills, and applies a lot of pressure. “They have interesting players. We will have to play a great game.” “What will be the first thing to do to manage the return well?” “The first thing is to be focused. I expect an charging Porto.” We know how they play, we have to play with intensity and spontaneity. I want a Roma that plays at home and away in the same manner. “We are still not quite where I want us to be in football. But the boys are working very hard,”
How essential is Pellegrini right now?
“All my players are starters,” “He’s a significant player, I regard him highly,” reflects the sentiment. The lineups should be interpreted as my preference for certain players in specific matches. “Do you have any idea why Roma has no personality outside the field?” “We encounter stronger teams.” “Como is a strong team, just wait and see the surprise they have in store. We are working relentlessly to always deliver our best.” Could This Be the Turning Point Game?
“I’m intrigued, Porto is doing just like us. It’s a very young team with skilled players. “We are both below what Porto and Rome are. Whoever surpasses it will gain self-esteem and conviction.” Sometimes it seems that the team doesn’t do very well with a 4-man defense. Is that your choice? “Goals are conceded because there isn’t good pressure in midfield. We’re forever conceding goals in a row, regardless of our defensive setup. Losing 2-0 or 1-0 doesn’t make much of a difference. If you’re losing, try to rally. Porto tied with Sporting at the 90th minute. “We anticipate a highly aggressive Porto driven by their home crowd.”
What are your thoughts on Anselmi and Coincecao?
“I think highly of Coincecao. I told him that he had straightened out Milan. The other, at the age of 38, leads Porto. I wish you a promising future full of victories, perhaps not in this double challenge.”
Porto? “They have an excellent team. I believe it’s the youngest team in Portugal. There are incredibly talented young players for whom pressure will be difficult to apply. “They know both how to launch counterattacks and play with organized football. It will be a beautiful match tomorrow.” Anselmi stated that he remembers her from Valencia. “It pleases me to know that Anselmi watched me when I was just 12 years old, back when I was in Valencia. “He is a capable young man. If at 38 he is leading a team like Porto, I must indeed congratulate him.” Sorry, your instruction seems incomplete without providing me any text or HTML to translate or convert. Please provide the necessary information.