Ranieri reflects on Milan v Roma

Here's what the boss had to say...

What's your biggest regret tonight?

“First of all, I'd like to congratulate Milan because they'rea top-quality side. The movement of their midfielders and forwards is excellent. So it's not a regret but an awareness that we were playing against a great team. We tried everything and in the latter part of the first half it was working: we had them pegged back, we were creating chances, we hit the bar... That was the time to score and instead we went and let one in, a bit like the one we conceded in our first league meeting. It can happen when you're pushing forward to get back into the game: something goes wrong and you're not able to get going again. We were determined not to let them hit us on the counter-attack but when you're up against a team this good, it's easier said than done.

“If there is a regret, it's perhaps the ten-centimetre offside on the goal that would have made it 3-2. That would have opened the game up again and they might have started thinking about the derby they drew. It would have made for a nice end to the game. I can't blame my players for anything. Actually, they deserve credit because when you fight till the very end you just have to accept the result.”

Now you'll focus on the league and try to move up a position...

“I like it when everyone says we have to move up positions, that we have to win the Coppa Italia, that we have to win in Europe... Do you remember when I took over this team? We're keeping calm and moving forward. I'm curious to see how the team responds now. We have to go and play at a tough ground. When Venezia have lost, it's only ever been by one goal. That tells you how hard they fight and never stop believing. I'm really curious to see what spirit the lads go there and fight with. That's what I want them to do.”

The point was that you want to try and make sure Roma at least qualify for Europe again next season.

“Of course we want to leave Roma in a good place but we also need to make people realise we're doing everything we can. Before last Sunday we had the fourth most points in Serie A since I arrived. Now it's the fifth most but that means the lads are up for it and they believe in what we're doing – that's what matters most to me.”

[Christian Panucci speaking] Since you took over, Roma have always used the ball well. But today there were occasions when you were a bit slow in picking out Paulo Dybala between the lines, which gave Milan the time to reorganise and then break forward.

“I agree with that entirely and that's why I got angry. But you know it's easier said than done. I'd like to play the ball forward immediately but we need to work on it, get into the mindset. It's not easy for the lads to have three different coaches in one season, each with their own playing philosophy that they have to try to implement. It's not easy. I'm grateful to them because they always try to do their best.

“We misplaced a few too many passes today. We weren't able to find Dybala in the middle. When we did he always had a man on him. We weren't able to switch play as we usually do. It's these little details that meant Milan had a great game and we weren't able to get back in it.”

What did you say to Sergio Conceicao after the final whistle, 'Well done for sorting the team out'?  

“Yes, I congratulated him and said his team play good football. I'm honest. I say what I feel. I have no problem complimenting the opposition when it's deserved.”

Did you give Eldor Shomurodov any specific instructions?

“I asked him to do what he did against Napoli and keep us tight as a team. He and Dybala needed to stay in front of our three midfielders to limit their running and then go on the break. But I think the Napoli game took a lot out of him so he wasn't able to do everything he did against Napoli. He still had a decent game, though. I have no problem with his performance: he took shots and teed up his team-mates on the edge of the box.

“I can't say we didn't play our game. We knew they would come racing out of the blocks and try to push us back and that's why I told them to stick together as a unit. In our last few games against teams who are good in transition – like Eintracht and Napoli – we were very compact. Unfortunately we conceded a goal today and it can happen that you get caught on the counter against this Milan side. There were times where we rode our luck a bit and others where we defended well.”