Ranieri: ‘Roma fight for every ball, still 50-50 with Athletic Club’ | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri insists the Europa League tie with Athletic Club is ’50-50’ after the dramatic first leg win at the Stadio Olimpico. ‘We know that Roma are tough to beat and fight for every ball.’

It was a dramatic evening at the Stadio Olimpico, as Inaki Williams had put Athletic Club in front, only to be cancelled out six minutes later by Angelino.

When Yeray Alvarez received a second yellow card for the foul on Eldor Shomurudov, they kept pushing to the final kick of the game, which saw Shomurodov turn in the assist from Alexis Saelemaekers for a 2-1 victory.

Ranieri had surprised many by taking Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk off with 20 minutes left on the clock, but those substitutes proved decisive.

“The idea was to have many options before we started the match, then prepare for potential good and bad situations,” Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia.

“It was a very difficult match, it will be even tougher on their home turf, but we also know that we are tough to beat and we fight for every ball. This is half-time, it remains 50-50.”

Tommaso Baldanzi was a surprise pick in the starting XI, and though he missed a sitter in the first half, he impressed overall along with Roma youth product Niccolò Pisilli.

“Seeing them in training makes me realise that they are ready. Baldanzi is in a golden period right now, I had already seen them struggle against Atletico Madrid dealing with a player who was between the midfield and attack, so knew he could cause them problems. He had a great performance.”

How Ranieri transformed Roma season

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 06: Nico Williams of Athletic Club is challenged by Paulo Dybala of AS Roma during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 First Leg match between AS Roma and Athletic Club at Stadio Olimpico on March 06, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Zeki Celik had been in doubt with a small injury, but made his mark too both in defence and with the assist for Angelino’s equaliser.

“I think putting your faith in players is the most important thing a coach can do. Everyone makes mistakes, if you start listing them, then players lose confidence in themselves. I point out where they must improve, but also give them freedom to attack and cause problems for the opposition. These lads are splendid, they follow me in everything and it is a great joy for a coach to be in that situation.”

This is not a large lead to take into the second leg in Bilbao next Thursday, but it is a big potential step towards the Europa League quarter-finals and confirms Roma’s recent form of six wins and a draw in all competition.

“We need to keep going along this path, but we’ve got to make fewer mistakes with our passing and also move the ball around faster. It was tough today, as the two Williams players are so fast they may as well be on motorbikes,” joked Ranieri.

“We have got the basics sorted out now, so it is time to work on those little details that can make a good team into a great one.”

Ranieri has transformed this squad as their third coach of the season after Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric were both fired, coming out of retirement to help his beloved Roma get out of their nightmare campaign.

“My philosophy is that you can lose or win, but you have to fight to the end. I tell my teams to believe in what you are doing, then if it doesn’t go well, you tip your hats to your opponents,” concluded the veteran.

“If in the difficult moments you let go, you’ll never get back up. If you keep pushing, sooner or later that wheel will turn and you can do the things that two or three months ago didn’t seem to be happening.”