Ranieri: ‘Roma must not surrender to adversity’

Claudio Ranieri insists Atalanta are ‘ready’ for the Scudetto, but his Roma held out well ‘as long as we had the strength’ before capitulating 2-0. ‘We must not surrender to adversity’

The Giallorossi had shown signs of improvement since he took over from Ivan Juric, albeit with a 1-0 defeat away to Napoli and comeback 2-2 Europa League draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.

The fatigue from that game ultimately showed as time wore on this evening, with Marten de Roon’s deflected strike from the edge of the area and a late Nicolò Zaniolo glancing header from Juan Cuadrado’s corner sealing the 2-0 Atalanta result.

Ranieri sees Roma on the right track

“As long as we had the strength, we answered them blow for blow,” Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia.

“It is not an excuse, don’t get me wrong, but we played in London on Thursday and returned at 5am. We recovered well, but they were able to make the appropriate changes, whereas I did not have a box-to-box midfielder, as Pisilli was suspended.

“I actually congratulated the lads, because at the start of the second half we had a big chance to take the lead, it’s a pity that Dovbyk couldn’t quite get his boot to it, as Dybala had broken their defence. There was another incident with Mancini who was so close in front of goal.

“These are moments where if you keep pushing, you will be able to turn those incidents your way. These are the classic games where a team like Atalanta – who we are all very proud of when we see them play in Europe – have everything required to challenge for the Scudetto. I don’t want to put extra pressure on Gasperini, but this team is ready and one of some truly tough sides up there at the top of the table.”

Roma will host Lecce next in Serie A, a side still unbeaten under new coach Marco Giampaolo who snatched a last-gasp draw with Juventus last night.

“I thanked the team for the way they fought to the final minute, now in December we will play every four days,” added Ranieri.

“There are no easy games, I already told them that the next match will be even tougher than this one.”

The Giallorossi started to show real fight against Tottenham midweek and Ranieri maintains they are on the right track to rediscovering their spirit.

“If the team continues to follow me the way it has been, we will get hold of this situation. We must keep fighting, we must not surrender to adversity. I never accepted a player giving up. We must react and fight for every ball, until we are exhausted, and every substitution I made tonight was caused by exhaustion,” concluded Ranieri.

“I congratulate Atalanta on their victory, but also wish to congratulate my team for the performance.”