Ranieri's pre-Verona media conference

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

How important is this match against Verona? And how are Artem Dovbyk and Stephan El Shaarawy doing?

 “They trained separately today. They're both fine so I'll make up my mind, as I always do, between tonight and tomorrow morning. 

 “Verona is going to be an incredibly difficult game because they've really sorted themselves out well. They close down all the space then break forward at incredible speed. The third goal they scored against Roma in the reverse fixture is something they'll repeat another 10-15 times. We must be really alert and not get caught up in their web and let them hit us on the counter. It's a very difficult and a very important match because we want to do well. We want the three points but it's going to be tough.”

How are the players doing mentally and physically? Are they feeling the effects of this long run you've been on to reach the upper part of the league table? Are you thinking of making any changes to rest players who aren't 100%?

 “I'll be honest: what the lads have done is nothing short of extraordinary. It's been an amazing run. Physically they're fine. We're not in excellent form but do you know why? You were used to seeing a team playing one or two touches, linking up, switching play, making runs, doing everything very naturally. If we're not doing that at the moment, it's partly down to our opponents, because Juventus and Lazio aren't easy teams to play against. In any case, the players are giving their all. They're fighting and trying to obtain the most possible from this very tricky and important time for Roma.

 “As for making changes, we might do that, yes, but it has to be done carefully so as not to upset the balance.”

Is there some worry over Mile Svilar's contract renewal?

 “No, I don't think so because he wants to stay here. Naturally his agent is doing his job and we're doing ours but I'm sure that in the end it will work out with all parties happy.”

Have you figured out why Dovbyk played the way he did against Lazio? Was it a lack of desire and determination, or was it down to the team not giving him proper service?

 “There's no blame in a team. It's always 50-50. He should show for the ball more and the team should play him in when he moves. Often he makes a run and we don't give him the ball, so it's 50-50.

 “What I always tell him is this: it's good when you score, but besides scoring you also need to give me a performance. By performance I mean that he should battle, press, drop back, show for it. He's working on that. I'm not satisfied and I don't think he is either. He has to give me more.”

About a year ago, Daniele De Rossi was sitting where you are now and spoke about needing to improve the team with fast players to be able to challenge in the league. Maybe something has been done towards that in the last few transfer windows but you said yourself, after the Juventus game, that there's still a gap. So, after five months at the helm, what is the direction for the future?

 “For now we're thinking about this season. We're trying to solve things this year. What Daniele said a year ago is true. What we've done this year, at least since I've been here, is everything we possibly could do.

 “We have young players who can improve, who must improve, and of course there is a significant gap with the four or five teams above us. Anyone can see that – even people who don't understand football.” 

Against Lazio there was a free kick after just a few minutes and two Lazio players were blocking yours as Alessio Romagnoli made his run. In the second half the Roma players allowed themselves to be blocked and barely put up a fight. Were you not a bit angry or disappointed about that? Was there something that didn't work?

 “I'm very disappointed and very angry. And we must work more. Only through work. Sometimes we aren't streetwise enough. You have to be determined not to let your opponent enter the area. It comes down to character, training and the desire not to be outdone. Sometimes we relax a bit and think we can just go and get the ball unchallenged. But it's not like that. If I can't get it, you, my opponent, you're not going to get it either. That's how I see it.

 “We need to become a bit more compact because we've conceded nine or ten goals from corners and free kicks and a team that wants to be successful can't afford to let these things happen with such frequency.”

Nicolo Pisilli hasn't played much since signing a new contract: 21 minutes in the last six games. Why has he been playing less than before?

 “He's done well since I joined. Lately his condition has dipped a lot and that's normal. He's picking up again now so he has the same chance as the others. It's got nothing to do with his contract, or the fact that he might rest on his laurels, because he always tries his hardest in training. But a coach notices if things are coming naturally or if they're not coming like they used to. Give him a bit of time and you'll see the Pisilli we all know again.”

In a podcast, Mats Hummels stressed that he had already decided to retire, that he didn't want to continue with the same lifestyle. Since you've always described him as a pillar, do you think his character may have been overrated?

 “No, not at all. He is a pillar. He's a top player and I'm sure that if I pick him, when he plays he'll perform well.”

Do the players truly believe Roma can qualify for the next Champions League?

 “Would you bet one euro on Roma qualifying for the next Champions League? Are you looking to lose money? Let’s be honest. For us to qualify, the other teams would all have to rest on their laurels, and we would have to do something extraordinary. It’s not possible, we need to be honest with our fans.

 “I’ve always said that we need to give it 100% and in the end we’ll see what we can achieve. That is exactly what the team is doing. They’ve had an amazing recovery considering everything that’s happened to them. And I don’t want to take all the credit. But it’s because of what happened to them that they’ve gone the extra mile. So let’s hold on tight to these players, because they are really working hard with all their passion and grit to see Roma succeed.

 “I’m asking our fans to support us in this final stretch, because I’m not saying everything we can achieve in these last six matches  depends on the fans alone – because we are the ones on the pitch – but it’s very important for them to understand the situation we’re in.”

3,000 fans at the Tre Fontane, over 61,000 against Verona. What do these fans deserve? 

 “They deserve the very best, they deserve what the owners want to achieve – a team that is always among the top four or five teams in the table, that can fight to win one or more league titles. As I always say, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so we need to be patient and work hard. We’ll wait until we have more freedom in the transfer market and then we’ll take stock of everything. We’ll draw in the net and see what kind of fish we’ve caught. If it’s a mackerel or seabass.”

I’d like to talk about how Matias Soule has improved, which is apparent to everyone. Which player have you improved the most over the past few months? And are the players still asking you to stay or have they given up?

 “They understand and respect my decision. 

 “Soule is playing well. I told you that would be the case from the beginning, when he wasn’t playing: he will be the future of Roma. He is a very gifted player, a rough diamond we need to polish. I’m trying to do my best. Whoever comes after me will certainly do an even better job.”

Earlier you were talking about something that was missing in the derby in terms of being streetwise…

 “Not just in the derby: we were talking about free kicks, corners, all that stuff. We need to be a bit smarter in those situations.”

Will that be the focus in the coming transfer window – players who are a bit more streetwise?

 “When you choose a player, you first look at the man himself, as that’s what matters most. Because if you sign a nut case who upsets the mood in the dressing room, you’ve spent money and obtained nothing in return. So first we look at the man, and then we look for certain attributes.

 “If the level is the same, of course we’ll go with the player who is more assertive, determined and decisive in certain circumstances, which in our cases are these set-pieces.”