Claudio Ranieri reacts to Roma’s win over Empoli: “I was convinced I could do well with this team, but not like this.” | OneFootball

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri reacted to Roma’s 1-0 win over Empoli at the Castellani.

In his post-match interview with Sky Sport, Ranieri joked, “Was I scared near the end? I told the guys that I am a person of a certain age and I can’t take such emotions.”

“We had to close it out, these are games that you then draw and wonder why. The second half of the season is difficult, I put in some guys who were hungry to play, and now we can prepare well for the Bilbao match.”

“Tonight I liked the whole team,” he said. “Shomurodov? He is a splendid lad, in his pedigree he does not have many goals to his name, but the important thing is to be in the right place. He has scored decisive goals and will continue to do so.”

“Hummels? I liked him today,” he added.

“What I think of the team? The match against Tottenham was important to restore self-esteem, the squad is good and the quality is there. I was convinced I would do well, but not like this.”