Ranieri encouraged by draw Sunday 18 January, 2009
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Claudio Ranieri sees the Olimpico draw as a positive result and trusts Juventus can catch Inter at the top.
A win against Lazio would have closed the gap to just one point after the Nerazzurri's shock 3-1 loss at Atalanta, but the 1-1 draw means there are three points between them.
“It is a long season and we want to chip away at their lead. We knew it wasn't easy for us to come to Lazio, we played well and picked up a point. We must keep fighting and see what happens,” said Ranieri.
“All teams have ups and downs. When Inter had injuries to their defence in the early weeks, they still got points, while we struggled during similar problems and paid a heavy price for that time.
“Now we are back on our feet and are closing the gap, so we keep hoping that we can catch them.”
Cristian Ledesma's free kick caught out Alex Manninger, but Olof Mellberg nodded in the equaliser.
“Lazio went at quite a pace and we tried to play our game, but we struggled to fight them as they were good at keeping the pressure up.
“I think it was a very entertaining match in which Lazio did a great deal in the first half and the second was more in our favour.”
The Bianconeri were without Giorgio Chiellini, Gigi Buffon, Dario Knezevic, Zdenek Grygera, Mauro Camoranesi, Jonathan Zebina, Hasan Salihamidzic, Vincenzo Iaquinta and David Trezeguet.
Ranieri gave 19-year-old youth team defender Lorenzo Ariaudo his Serie A debut as centre-back.
“Last year when I let him play in international friendlies, he always seemed confident and secure. He did very well in the Coppa Italia against Catania.
“I was a little unsure, but I told Mellberg I didn't feel like changing the shape of the defence and was convinced he'd do well against Zarate, as he already impressed me against Real Madrid when faced with Drenthe.”
Next week Juventus take on rivals Fiorentina in Turin, but will be missing the suspended Momo Sissoko and Christian Molinaro.
“Honestly it could start to weigh on us, but we have been in an emergency situation for three months and the replacements ensure the big stars are not missed, so now everyone is a first team player.
“I believe whoever will replace Molinaro and Sissoko on Saturday will do a good job.
“We do not need to go on the transfer market. Ariaudo is doing well and we are 99 per cent sure that there will not be any signings.”
Buffon was meant to make his comeback this evening, but pulled out after the final training session with a flu virus.
“I saw him yesterday before we left and he could barely breathe, he was really bunged up and had a temperature.”
Juve are in good form going towards the Champions League second round clash, but opponents Chelsea are struggling.
“Chelsea are going through a shaky period, but that worries me because there's a while to go yet and they can easily turn a corner in that time.”
With all the talk of Kaka's move to Manchester City, Ranieri confirmed he was asked to join the Eastlands club.
“There was another owner, a former Prime Minister of Thailand, and we talked when he was still in the process of buying City. But I could not say no to Juventus.”
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