Claudio Ranieri: “I know we will play a great game.” | OneFootball

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri spoke to Sky Sport on the eve of the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16.

“Athletic have fast and strong players, number one in Europe for one-on-one take-ons,” he said of tomorrow’s opponent. “The two Williams brothers are very good and they all have a great sense of belonging to the Basque world.”

“But we are always confident. It will be a difficult match for us, as it will be for them. We have the public on our side, the boys are excited. We know we have to be careful in every situation.”

“Dovbyk? When he is on form he changes the meaning of the games, he sees things that others don’t see. He feels more and more immersed in the reality of this team and he knows that his contribution is decisive, this is doing him good.”

“He’s still not 100% fit. The other day I put him in the last minutes because after a fortnight I had only seen him for a finishing training session. What pleased me most with Como was that I finally saw him celebrate after a goal. It gives me hope.”

“I know we will play a great game. I know that, regardless of the result, I think the performance will be top-notch, there will be details that will tip the scales one way or the other.”