Roma boss Claudio Ranieri praised the team’s display in tonight’s 4-1 win over Lecce.
The victory marked the capital club’s first win in Serie A since October 31st and their first since Ranieri to the club last month, replacing Ivan Juric.
“The performance was spirited and brave, as I had asked, against a team used to fighting on the pitch,” he said.
“We had to match their ardour, then if we had more quality all the better. Many individuals needed this match, I’m happy. At the beginning of the second half we suffered a little, then I put Pisilli on and they stopped pressing us.”
He continued, “We were playing three of them against two of us, Koné and Paredes. We couldn’t keep the two attacking midfielders together with Dybala for long, I decided to give consistency to the midfield with Pisilli who is a good mezzala.”
“He can shoot at goal, he can get into the game, he can do many things and he has a good future even if he is young. I am happy for the team and for the fans.”
“Ryan Friedkin? I asked my press officer who the American Presidents are in Serie A: there are many but I have never heard them speak. They are like that, it’s their way of acting. “
“They are made like that, I have not heard any of the American presidents because evidently they delegate and want to manage things in this way. They speak with the operators of their team and with the employees, hoping that everything will fall into place.”
Adding, “I brought in Saud, a guy with great speed. I’m happy, in the first half he was too shy. I had asked not to always come in centrally, we had lost balls that we could have paid dearly for.”
“That’s fine, we are bringing the cement to make the foundations. This team must do more, it must not be satisfied, but must do things slowly.”
Asked about the status of captain Lorenzo Pellegrini, who was left on the bench, Ranieri expressed his belief that the midfielder is tensed, encouraging him to relax.
“I said it when I arrived: I had two splendid midfielders who know how to score goals: Lampard and Pellegrini,” he said.
“I can see him feel all the weight on his shoulders and that’s not good. When I see him smiling and playing with lightheartedness—he will play.”
