Ranieri: ‘Roma gave everything, don’t know why Bologna complained’

Claudio Ranieri insists he doesn’t know why Bologna ‘were complaining’ about the last-gasp penalty decision and is pleased that Roma ‘give everything’ they’ve got.

There was the very real fear that the Giallorossi would be unable to maintain the intensity shown in their Derby della Capitale victory over Lazio, and it seemed to be coming true when they fumbled the Alexis Saelemaekers lead to concede twice in four minutes from Thijs Dallinga and Lewis Ferguson.

However, a contentious handball decision allowed Artem Dovbyk to convert a penalty with the last kick of the game and snatch the 2-2 draw at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

“We had Bologna under control in the first half, I don’t know why they were complaining at the end, because it was a penalty, just as the one they were given was a penalty and there was a foul on Saelemaekers too,” Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia.

“Just as we were about to score our second goal, they did well to equalise, then there were 10 minutes when Bologna could’ve scored a third goal.”

Roma show fighting spirit under Ranieri

It is not the first time that Roma have grabbed a last-gasp goal under Ranieri’s tenure.

“This team does not give up and I like that, the lads must be praised for that attitude. When my team gives everything it has, then I am happy,” continued the coach.

“We were a little too slow moving the ball around in the first half and that suited Bologna. I am pleased that we got an important point, but disappointed because I prefer a different tempo. I wanted more desire to win, but if you can’t win, then a draw is better than nothing.”

Paulo Dybala had already been substituted when Dovbyk stepped up, so the Ukraine international had all the pressure on his shoulders for that penalty.

“He is one of our penalty takers, along with Dybala and Paredes. Spot-kicks are always a bit of a lottery, especially in added time, but Dovbyk is cool-headed, so it seemed natural that he would take it.”

This could be a turning point for the centre-forward, who has struggled to replicate the form he showed to be top scorer in LaLiga last season.

“It’s true he doesn’t shoot much, but we too need to give the kind of service that he likes. We’re slowly involving him more, there is a lot of work to do, but we do it with motivation and determination,” concluded Ranieri.