Ranieri ignores Roma crisis
Friday 31 October, 2008
Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri does not believe Roma are in trouble despite losing their last three games in Serie A.
The Giallorossi are in sixteenth place, eight points behind the Bianconeri and have the worst defensive record in the League.
“I don’t believe Roma are in crisis,” said the Testaccio born Ranieri. “They also said that we were in crisis.”
Before notching up back-to-back victories, Juventus had not won in four matches and are still only ninth in the championship, five points off the lead.
“Roma did its reconstruction before us. A masterpiece has been made in three years despite the club being checked in the transfer market.
“Now is a period when things are going bad, as they went bad for us, but seeing that they have a great group and they are all still there, Roma will be a protagonist as always.”
The 57-year-old tactician also revealed that captain Alessandro Del Piero will return to action and praised the Bianconeri old guard for getting the team out of their recent difficulties.
“Their example is very important because they are players that have given a slice of their careers to Juventus and when they speak they have an important weight.
“I like when they speak as leaders because the club traces a line, the trainer follows it, but they are charismatic players that pull the others. They are the foundation of the new Juventus.”
Ranieri suggested that Juventus’ mind might be on other things, though, come Saturday night, namely Tuesday’s game with Real Madrid in the Champions League.
“We have to think about Real,” admitted Ranieri. “Because we are still in an emergency. We still cannot see the light. We are doing well, but we have to continue to do well.”
Juventus currently top Champions League Group H with three games to play. They are a point ahead of their nearest rivals, Real Madrid.