Ranieri previews Athletic Club clash

Has everyone recovered for this game? How is Zeki Celik doing?

“They're all fine and available for selection.”

Do you have any memories of Bruno Pizzul [famous Italian journalist who died recently]?

“When I saw the news on TV, I felt myself welling up. Bruno was a fabulous person. I have wonderful memories. When we went to Udine, he'd come to meet us. I'm very sorry.”

What's going on with Mats Hummels? Is there a situation there?

“Why are you always trying to stir up these things? I can understand it when things aren't going well – you like rubbing salt in the wound. There's a German guy who's in Rome, in Italy. And he goes to see Roma, the most beautiful thing in the world. There's no situation at all. We all get on swimmingly.”

What did Artem Dovbyk say to you after he scored against Como? Did he perhaps show you the video to point out the kind of service he wants in the box?

“As if he would do something like that... I'm the one who showed him certain things – what he should and shouldn't do. His team-mates are getting to grips with what sort of balls to give him. What I really liked, besides the goal itself, was that for the first time I saw him really enjoying the goal. That's a very good sign. I haven't asked him yet why he was so happy. I'll ask him.”

Have you worked on any specific strategies to keep Nico Williams quiet?

“When you play zonally, you try to close off certain areas of the pitch to ensure that he gets on the all as little as possible. Then whoever is closest to players like him will try to do their best. Athletic have the best record for one-on-one dribbles. It's not just Williams. They have a lot of quality up front and we'll need to be very careful.”

How is Paulo Dybala? And what will you say to him about this game?

“What I always say to him – to enjoy himself. He has to enjoy himself. The others have to run and scrap. He has a few defensive duties but then he has to enjoy himself. I don't think you should put shackles on a world-class player. You have to support them: get them into the game and get lots of balls to them. These players have a special kind of vision and can put the ball where others can't even imagine. That's why he has to enjoy himself.”

To use your words, why isn't Lorenzo Pellegrini enjoying himself?

“I don't know. He does enjoy himself but he doesn't show it. He's introverted. I'd like him to enjoy himself more and be a bit more light-hearted, which is a quality not many players have.”  

On the subject of Pellegrini, how big a factor will the European experience acquired in recent seasons be in your thinking? Or, given that it will be a very intense game, are you thinking of going with Niccolo Pisilli or someone else?

“I'll weigh everything up tonight and tomorrow. I'll watch back certain games, then I'll decide. I think everyone's experience is very important. These players are used to playing at this level.”

Will you leverage the fact that Roma have always done well in Europe in recent seasons to try to motivate the players even more?

“It's water under the bridge, I say. That's gone now. What we have is the future and we need to write it. That's what I'll say to them.”

What are the dangers of playing Athletic Club?

“They're fourth in La Liga. They're a team that's been put together very well with an incredible sense of belonging, all Basque players or players who came through Basque academies. They always find good players and they've never been relegated. There are years when they have more   great players and they do particularly well – as they are at the moment. They won the Copa del Rey last year. It's going to be difficult here and difficult at their place. But just as it's going to be difficult for us, it's going to be difficult for them too.”

To what extent did facing Cesc Fabregas' Como serve as preparation ahead of this match? Given that Oihan Sancet is back in contention for Athletic how much does this alter your approach?

“The two scenarios are different because Athletic are a distinct proposition. Como like to keep the ball, pass it around at the back, and when out of possession they like to nick the ball off you and head straight for goal. It’ll be a different kind of encounter. As for Sancet, he’s in their squad so we’ll see if he plays. Sometimes players are just called up for the sake of squad cohesion and camaraderie, but if he does indeed feature then we’ve got our own qualities to nullify him as much as possible.”

Bearing in mind how solid both Athletic and Roma are at the back do you think tomorrow’s game will be more about defending than attacking?

“I’m not sure - let’s wait and see. We always try to attack. When we’re up against better teams I favour keeping it tight, but it’s down to who we face. I don’t like to leave my teams vulnerable so that the opposition can score goals against us. If it’s possible, we’ll attack; if it’s not possible, we’ll defend. I’ve never been a defensive-minded coach. Whenever I pick a line-up – irrespective of the competition – I do so with winning in mind. However, if we’re up against a team who are better than we are then I’ll act accordingly. That being said, I’ve never approached a game with the attitude of, ‘I’ll take a draw in this one.’ I never settle for anything less than a win.

“As I always say to my players, I want them to give everything. This is sport - I give my all and then what will be will be. I can’t be having any regrets or saying that I could’ve done things differently. You have to give your all, as Angelino said before. There will be times when he’s in better or worse form, but what’s important is that – just like his team-mates – he never gives less than 100%. If that’s the case we’ll accept whatever result comes our way, be magnanimous with the opposition over the outcome of the game and then turn our thoughts to the next fixture.”

Is playing Gianluca Mancini as in the centre of a three-man defence a potential solution moving forward?

“I like to have versatile players who are capable of operating in various parts of the pitch. This means you can adjust things as and when to the system and adapt over the course of a game. Then it’s up to the coach who he picks and uses as he sees fit.”

What’s the difference between this Athletic side and the one you faced in Spain when you were coaching there?

“It was a different era for football… [laughs]. It was more than 20 years ago - football nowadays is a world away. It’s pacier and more tactical. We’ll try to be better in all situations.”

What worries you about this Athletic side? Who do you reckon the favourite is?

“It’s difficult to say who the favourite is – let’s just go and play the match. I’m not worried about Athletic but I’ve got a lot of respect for them. I never feel anxious in this regard ahead of a match – I’m always convinced that my players will do well. That’s