Ranieri previews Roma-Athletic Club: ‘If teams are better than us, we will defend’ | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri did not deny the fact that Roma will look to defend as a priority in games against ‘better’ opposition than themselves, and feels that the Giallorossi will face a difficult test both in Rome and Bilbao over the two legs of their Europa League round of 16 tie against Athletic Club.

Ranieri says that winning is always his primary objective, but admits that he prefers to focus on defending rather than attacking if the opposition pose a particular threat going forwards.

The Giallorossi coach hinted that that could be the case against Athletic Club on Thursday night, but also claims that he is waiting to find out more about his opponents’ team news before deciding upon his starting XI.

Ranieri gave his assessment during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 20: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between AS Roma and FC Porto at Stadio Olimpico on February 20, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

The 73-year-old began his presser with a tribute to the late Bruno Pizzul, who died on Wednesday: “I had a lump in my throat when I saw the news. Bruno was a wonderful person and an excellent journalist. I’m so sorry,” Ranieri said, reported via TMW.

Ranieri on Roma-Athletic Club tactics: ‘Difficult here and there’

Ranieri continued by giving a brief analysis of how he expects Athletic Club to play.

“When you play zonally, you try to close certain areas of the pitch. Athletic Club are first in the standings for dribbling. They’re a team that has a lot of quality and we’ll have to be very careful.”

BILBAO, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 23: Nico Williams of Athletic Club looks on during the LaLiga match between Athletic Club and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio de San Mames on February 23, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

He continued: “(They’re) a well-built team with a wonderful sense of togetherness. They have three million people to find eligible players and are never relegated. They play with enthusiasm on the wings. It will be difficult here and difficult there (in Bilbao).”

Will there be many changes in the way Roma prepare compared to their recent 2-1 victory over Como in Serie A?

“It changes a lot from Como to Bilbao, because Athletic Club will change with some absences. It will be a different game with or without (Oihan) Sancet, so we have to see if he plays. Maybe he was called up to make up the numbers.”

“We always try to attack. When others are better than us, we close all the doors and windows. If possible, we will attack, if not, we will defend ourselves. When I make the line-up, I think about how we can win. If the team I face is better, I try to defend, but I always look for victory.

“I want everything from my players, but I always accept the result. I don’t have to have any remorse, or feel ‘I should have done this’, my players have to give their best.”

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Eldor Shomurodov of Roma celebrates with teammates after he heads the ball to score his teams second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Monza at Stadio Olimpico on February 24, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Ranieri is not bothered by Roma’s recent successes in the Europa and Conference Leagues.

“It’s in the past. That no longer counts. We have to write our own future. This is what I will tell them,” he said.

Ranieri on Hummels, Dybala, Mancini and Pellegrini

Ranieri was asked if there are any issues with Mats Hummels given that he was left out of the Roma line-up against Como at the weekend, which drew a frustrated response from the Giallorossi tactician.

“Why do you always have to go looking for things? I understand that you want to rub salt in the wound when Roma does badly, but there is nothing. There are no worries, there’s nothing. We get along fine, with everyone.”

Asked if he has any messages for Paulo Dybala, Ranieri replied: “To have fun, he has to have fun. Everyone has to run and fight, and he has to have fun. Champions like him should not be tamed, but they should be supported and given a lot of balls in. He has wonderful vision.”

And on Lorenzo Pellegrini, he added: “He has fun but doesn’t always show it. He’s a very introverted guy and I would like him to take a bit of the weight off, he has quality.”

Ranieri ended his press conference with an explanation as to why he enjoys working with Gianluca Mancini: “I like to have flexible players who can play in multiple positions on the pitch if we need to make any corrections during the game. It’s up to the coach to use him in the best possible way.”