Coach Ranieri before Genoa-Cagliari
“Every match for us is decisive: we have been underwater for so many months, now that we have taken our heads out to breathe we don’t want to go back there. We haven’t done anything yet, we know it well”: coach Ranieri spoke in a press conference two days before the match against Genoa, the postponement of the 34th day of the Serie A championship.”
ABOUT THE MATCH OF “FERRARIS”
“We are going to face a team that plays very well. They are already safe, that’s not why we can afford to underestimate the commitment. In the first leg we won, but in the last minutes they had so many chances for an equalizer. We know what to expect: we will play against a strong team, they have very good players, they know when to maneuver or restart quickly. Maximum respect. It will be a match that we will have to interpret and be able to read very well.”
COMPACT AND AGGRESSIVE
“We have strung together a series of positive results, we have been driven by the knowledge that we have to fight in every situation. Difficult moments come for every team: we have suffered a lot, now we don’t want to suffer anymore. That’s why we must continue to remain compact, mentally aggressive, always giving our best in our work. Petagna is back, Mancosu will also be back soon. For me everyone is important. The team is fine, we are ready for this final rush.”
INDIVIDUALS
“In addition to Luvumbo, out due to disqualification, Viola will be missing (low-grade hamstring sprain in left thigh). Oristanio and Lapadula are fine, I will decide at the last. Makoumbou in flexion? I disagree, even against Juventus he sang and carried the cross. He is a very important footballer for us, whom I rely on a lot. Against Inter, for example, for me he played an excellent game, I would like him to always play like that.”
NEVER GIVE UP
“I am bound to Genoa by wonderful memories, there I made my debut as a player in Serie A. As coach of Sampdoria it was a beautiful derby: so much pathos, but also great composure. It is a tifo that charges the team a lot, we will find a warm environment, the stadium will be sold-out. Salvation quota? Difficult to speculate: it’s a very good championship both for the race for Europe and for staying in Serie A. I asked the boys to fight until the last day, then we will see how many points we will have scored.”
