Ranieri: ‘Roma and Milan both want to win’

Claudio Ranieri expects an open and exciting game between Roma and Milan this evening. ‘Both want to win and there will be opportunities on both sides.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, also known as San Siro, at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

If Milan fans feel they are having a troubled campaign, it is nothing compared to the Giallorossi, who are already on their third coach after sacking Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric.

Ranieri expects exciting Milan-Roma battle

“It is a difficult game for both teams, they both want to win, so there will be opportunities on both sides and we’ll see who manages to make the most of them,” Ranieri told DAZN.

Roma are without an away victory in Serie A since April, so could a win against a big side like Milan be the ultimate reboot for their form?

“Winning against a big club gives an extra boost, but we must focus on the long-term, we are improving and that is important.”

Bryan Cristante is the only remaining player on the treatment table, while Alexis Saelemaekers starts against his parent club after a 5-0 victory over Parma.

“I like to excite the fans and we can only do that by creating scoring opportunities. I ask the team to make vertical, forward passes and keep attacking. There will be moments when we need to hold the ball, but for the most part the idea is to attack, continued Ranieri.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is again left out, so is the captain happy to take a back seat in order to help the team through a difficult time?

“He is certainly not happy to be on the bench, it would be worrying if any player was happy to be on the bench, as it would mean they lost that joy they had when they were kids and dreamed of this job.

“However, he cares about Roma and always tries to do his best.”