Ranieri ‘confident’ about Roma signings and ready for ‘tough’ Milan clash | OneFootball

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri expects a ‘tough match’ against Milan in the Coppa Italia, as he believes the January transfer window has provided Rossoneri boss Sergio Conceição with plenty of ‘quality players,’ enabling the Rossoneri to unleash their offensive potential.

But while the Diavolo have ‘changed a lot’ and are now a ‘team full of talent’, the former Leicester manager guarantees the Giallorossi won’t go to San Siro for a ‘sightseeing trip’, making clear that their goal is ‘to do well and advance to the next round’.

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: David Neres of Napoli is challenged by of Devyne Rensch of AS Roma during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on February 02, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Ranieri is also satisfied with the club’s moves in the winter window, insisting he ‘approved’ all the players they signed and explaining they could not spend more due to Financial Fair Play regulations.

Ranieri: Milan ‘full of talent’, but Roma won’t go to San Siro for a trip

“Our goal is to do well against Milan,” Ranieri told Sportmediaset ahead of Roma’s quarter-final clash in the Coppa Italia, as quoted by TMW.

“We know they haven’t lost at home in 12 matches, the last defeat was against Napoli. Since Conceição arrived, they’ve had five wins, two draws, and two losses.

“We are going to face a team full of talent and champions. We want to do well and advance to the next round. We are aware we are facing a great team and will try to play our game.

“We’re not coming to San Siro for a sightseeing trip. Milan have changed a lot since the 1-1 draw in the league, and even more after this transfer market.

“I expect a tough match, but we are ready to face a great team. Milan can explode now, they can play offensively, and they have quality players.”

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 29, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The 73-year-old admitted Roma faced financial constraints in January transfer market, which is why he wanted to ‘commend’ director Florent Ghisolfi for the players he managed to bring in.

“I give it [the transfer market] a good rating,” Ranieri continued.

“We couldn’t make moves due to Financial Fair Play, but I have to commend Ghisolfi because he found some good players that I approved, and I’m confident they will adapt quickly to our league.

“I’m very convinced about the two players we signed.

“If we can’t spend the money because there are specific regulations… Should we spend money and then end up out of Europe because we’ve gone over budget?

“We had situations to respect, and we did. It wasn’t easy in such a market to find replacements for champions, but I’m satisfied with what we’ve done.”

Lastly, Ranieri commented on the permanence of Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes at the Stadio Olimpico, after previous rumours suggesting a possible exit: “I never had any doubts,” he concluded.