Ranieri reveals what he told Conceicao after Roma defeat to ‘great Milan’ | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri reveals what he told Milan coach Sergio Conceicao after Roma’s 3-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat and pointed out that expectations are rising too rapidly. ‘Let us not forget where this side was when I arrived.’

The Giallorossi were haunted by a ghost from the past, because Tammy Abraham is still owned by them and only on loan at Milan, yet still bagged a first half brace against his former club.

Artem Dovbyk came off the bench and made an immediate impact by bundling over the line from close range, but Joao Felix was an even more effective substitute, scoring with a delightful lob on his Rossoneri debut after the move from Chelsea.

“First of all, we must congratulate Milan for their remarkable quality, especially the way their forwards are constantly moving around,” Ranieri told Sport Mediaset.

“That means we do not have regrets, we are simply aware that we lost to a great team. We tried everything, we pinned them back towards the end of the first half, we hit the crossbar and that was the moment when we should’ve equalised, but instead we conceded a goal very similar to the one we let in against Milan last time.

“It can happen when you are pushing so hard that something goes wrong at the back. We had told ourselves not to concede a counter-attack this time, but it’s easier said than done when facing that level of quality.”

Ranieri spots Roma issues in Coppa Italia quarter-final

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Artem Dovbyk of AS Roma scores his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 05, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Tijjani Reijnders had nodded a Devyne Rensch cross into his own net for what would’ve been 3-2, but it was disallowed over a close Dovbyk offside in the build-up.

“If there are regrets, they would be on the 10cm offside, as perhaps that might’ve set up a tense finale and given Milan some nightmares about the late equaliser in the derby. However, when you give your all and fight to the end, you must accept everything,” added Ranieri.

It was put to the coach by pundit Christian Panucci that Roma were lacking this evening in finding Paulo Dybala between the lines.

“I absolutely agree with this analysis and got very angry with them. I would love to always have a quick vertical pass, but it’s also not easy for these lads to have three coaches in a single season, each with their own ideas and the players trying to follow those ideas,” acknowledged Ranieri.

“It’s true that today we didn’t manage to pass it as well as usual, we didn’t find Dybala before he was man-marked and we made some mistakes, which helped Milan to put in a great performance.”

The Coppa Italia ends here for Roma, but they are still in the Europa League play-offs and trying to climb back up the Serie A table.

“I love it when people tell us we have to win the Coppa Italia, we have to win the Europa League, we have to climb the table,” laughed Ranieri. “Let us not forget where this side was when I arrived.

“Now I am curious to see how the team reacts. We are travelling to a difficult side like Venezia, they tend to lose only by a one-goal margin, so I want to see what spirit and attitude my players have next.

“We want to be aware that we are doing our best. Before Sunday we had the fourth best results since I took over, now we have the fifth, but it means the team is doing its job.”

Ranieri embraced Sergio Conceicao after the final whistle and seemed to tell him that he had ‘sorted out’ the Milan squad.

“Yes, I congratulated him, because his team plays well. I am honest, I say what I feel and have no problem honouring my opponents.”