Ranieri: Roma ‘must be smart’ against Tottenham | OneFootball

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri says the Giallorossi must be ‘smart’ against Tottenham who played ‘incredible games’ lately.

Ranieri returns to England for his second game as a Roma coach in his third stint at the club.

He lost on his ‘third’ debut against ex-Tottenham coach Antonio Conte on Sunday.

The Giallorossi are struggling in Serie A and Europa League and have already changed three coaches this season.

Tottenham sit 6th in the Premier League table and beat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in their latest league fixture.

“It won’t be easy. Tottenham are in an excellent moment,” Ranieri said at a press conference on Wednesday, as quoted by TMW.

“The last games they played were incredible. Tottenham press and play good football. I like this playing style. The coach is doing an extraordinary job. I congratulate him.”

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 24: Claudio Ranieri AS Roma head coach before the Serie A match between Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 24, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“We have studied this team. They push their engine to the limit, so we must be smart and move the ball quickly.”

German defender Mats Hummels joined Ranieri for today’s pre-match press conference.

An ex-Borussia Dortmund defender, Hummels has only made two Roma appearances this season, including one as a substitute against Napoli on Sunday.

“He is an incredible player with European experience. He already played 45 minutes. Let’s see if he has adequately recovered,” said Ranieri.

Paulo Dybala is part of the Roma squad that travelled to England but only played a few minutes in Naples as he was not fully fit. However, Ranieri suggested that the Argentinean is getting in shape.

Dybala has no discomfort. I repeat that having Dybala is one thing, and not having him is entirely different. He wanted to stay with the team; otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken him to Napoli. I only asked him not to get injured.