Ranieri speaks to the media ahead of AZ Alkmaar match

Read what the boss had to say...

How important is it to win tomorrow?“

Regardless of the specific game, every team wants to win. I have a lot of respect for AZ Alkmaar. They don't let up for 90 minutes, they get forward, are good in transition and get men into the box. They're a team I like a lot. I've very curious to see how we fare tomorrow. I'm confident too because we're in good shape.” 

Is the team aware that if they win the next two games they can finish in the top eight?

“It is an important game. We know how important European football is and everyone wants to be in it. We're here now and we want to come back. We know that if we do want to return next year, we're going to have to do something incredible. We're building one brick at a time. Tomorrow is going to be a tough match against excellent opponents. We'll try to play our game as we always do.”

Do you feel you can promise anything more to the Roma fans?

“We know what Roma is like. I think it's better to promise hard work and dedication. That's the best formula. You shouldn't make a promise you might not be able to keep. That's the way I've always worked throughout my career – lots of hard work and professionalism to try and make the fans happy. Why would you promise something that you can't know? Tomorrow we know we're up against an excellent side, the youngest in Europe and in the Netherlands. They play on the front foot and that's something I like. It will be a good test for us.”

Will you look to manage the team's energy levels in this game and the next one in Udine?

“I'm told that we're playing a team that has been winning for two months and doesn't lose, so we're sure to be facing a fine team. I always focus on the first game I have to play. The second one comes later. We've got two great games, one in Europe and one in the league. We're thinking about the first one.” 

Lorenzo Pellegrini has recovered and is in the squad. And I think Paulo Dybala needs some consideration. Could they both play tomorrow or might you use just one with Udinese in mind?

“You want to know my team but you know I won't tell you! They could both play, as we've seen before. Why not?”

You've worked with lots of talented players in your career. Is there one thing in particular that's impressed you about Niccolo Pisilli?

“What surprised me is he's a force of nature. He never gives up. I love players who know how to battle.” 

What do you expect from Devyne Rensch? And what do you think of Francesco Farioli, the Ajax coach?

“Rensch is a good young player who times his runs well and is good defensively. He's a player we needed. We looked at a lot of defenders and we chose him.“Farioli is a young coach who's working well at Ajax, in a difficult environment. And he'll wait.”