Ranieri Praises Milan’s Performance After Roma’s Coppa Italia Exit

Following Roma’s 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, manager Claudio Ranieri shared his thoughts on the match and his team’s performance. The experienced coach acknowledged Milan’s superior quality and discussed Roma’s current position in their development.

Ranieri began by commending Milan’s attacking prowess, stating, “We must applaud Milan for their exceptional quality, particularly the constant movement of their forwards.” He emphasized that Roma had no regrets, recognizing they had lost to a formidable opponent.

The Roma manager highlighted a crucial moment in the first half when his team hit the crossbar, which he believed could have changed the course of the match. However, he also noted that pushing hard for an equalizer left them vulnerable to counter-attacks, leading to Milan’s decisive goals.

Ranieri addressed Roma’s difficulty in finding Paulo Dybala between the lines, agreeing with pundit Christian Panucci’s observation. He attributed this partly to the team’s adjustment to multiple coaching changes throughout the season, each bringing different tactical approaches.

Looking ahead, Ranieri expressed curiosity about how his team would respond to this setback, particularly in their upcoming challenging fixture against Venezia. He emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective on Roma’s progress since his arrival, urging patience and realistic expectations.

The coach also revealed his post-match interaction with Milan’s manager Sergio Conceicao, praising his team’s performance. Ranieri’s comments reflected his sportsmanship and willingness to acknowledge the strengths of his opponents.

As Roma exits the Coppa Italia, Ranieri remains focused on their Europa League campaign and improving their position in Serie A. He called for a balanced view of the team’s achievements, reminding supporters of the progress made while acknowledging the work still to be done.