Claudio Ranieri speaks after Roma 1-1 Napoli

Here’s what our boss had to say…

A typical question would be, ‘why didn’t you play your usual starters’, but in the end they came on and Roma got a result. It’s because during the week coaches see how their players are doing and know how to manage the flow of games. Obviously Roma played in a different gear today. When you make so many changes the team loses its reference points, but in the first half the team tried to hold its own.

"We played on Thursday night and given we’d be in action again two days later, I couldn't play the same team because those lads had given all they had. All of my players are giving everything they’ve got in training – I’ve got full confidence in them. As you said today the team operated differently, even if we might’ve worked on other things in training.

“It felt right to me to bring in six new players and then make changes. This might’ve been when Napoli started tiring – remember that in the last half hour of matches they’ve scored 18 of their 37 league goals. I had to make a calculative decision – you can’t go out and play without considering these things. When we played against Eintracht [Frankfurt] I put my best eleven out, or rather the players who see most action. Meanwhile, away against Udinese I didn't - I rested the team, because we’d played in Alkmaar on a really sandy surface. We have to know how to manage everyone's strengths.”

Are you aiming on reaching Europe next season by qualifying through cup competitions?

“We’re just taking things game by game and trying to improve. I can’t disrespect our fans and say that we’re just thinking about the Coppa Italia or Europe – we’re aiming to do well in every game and that’s what I want to promise the fans.”

Did anyone come knocking on your office door asking you to leave?

"No, but I would’ve accompanied them to the airport. Nobody came (the coach laughs, ed.).”

Are these just newspaper rumours, then?

"Newspapers need to be sold, the media needs to spin transfer rumours. It’s fair game. We do our jobs in peace. Nobody wants to leave - everyone is happy at Roma, you have my word.”

How do you approach the Milan game in the Coppa Italia?

"We're facing a really talented team who know their strengths. We’ll go there full of humility and a desire to do well, aiming to play our game. May the best team win.”