Ranieri reflects on Lecce win

This is what our coach had to say...

Did you always believe you could do it?

“You must always believe. It was a tricky match but the lads went out there very focused. We missed two easy opportunities, then we gave them chances to score by giving away a silly ball near our area and another near their area. The second half was a lot scrappier, less aesthetic. The main thing is we won. We still managed to play a bit. We battled with Lecce, a team who are fighting to beat the drop and we know how difficult it is to pick up points against sides in the relegation battle – especially away from home.”

Should we perhaps judge Artem Dovbyk purely on his goals and not ask much more of him?

“No, we should ask more of him because we want to motivate him. We do that every day. And he approves. I asked the team to put in that sort of ball because he's good when he calls for the ball to be played in behind, and we don't always give him the service. So I asked the team to give him the ball and I asked him to time his runs carefully, because otherwise he sets off immediately and if he does that he ends up offside. We've been working on that in training and he's getting there slowly. He's a sensitive guy and these goals are good for him.”

You won the game in a different way to your other victories because the goal came out of nothing: Dovbyk had a man on him and managed to conjure up that goal. The other two good chances you had came out of nothing too.

“Yes, we knew they wanted to build play from the keeper and that they'd play these one-twos. We'd seen several examples of teams playing very aggressively and teams playing less aggressively and I said to the players, 'Let's go after them when they go to receive the ball and not let them play it calmly. If they hit it long, we'll be able to control it better.' We knew they could be dangerous from crosses or set-pieces or with those quick transitions they're very good at.”

Roma have 52 points now. Bologna, in fourth place, have 56. Are you looking upwards or is it still too early?

“No, I'm looking at my players. It's early. I've told the lads we must make sure we have no regrets in the summer. We have to pull out all the stops and then we'll accept the results we've managed to earn on the pitch. That's what I want – that they're always ready to fight, not give up, and scrap for every ball. We have eight games left now and they're all going to be difficult, regardless of the name of our opponents. They're all difficult, just as today was difficult.”

[Alessandro Costacurta speaking on Sky Sport] I played in teams where the coach was so convincing – with the knowledge and the belief he gave us – that it got to a point where we believed we could win the title, if not the first year, then the second. I think there's a similar situation at Roma now.

[Ranieri laughs] “The title! Really? The main thing is we do well. Hopefully we can continue as we are. I'd be very happy to end my career...”

You've scared everyone now. No one has the courage to touch on that topic any more [choosing the next coach]. There's no one as good as you.

“Thank you. I went into the dressing room and said 'You guys want to kill me early.' Thank goodness I've had my heart checked. Anyway, no, it's right to change.”

Are you looking for another you, another Ranieri. I mean, are you looking for someone like you for next year or someone very different?

“Hopefully someone younger.”