Claudio Ranieri on Roma’s Europa League mission: “We want to go forward.”

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri was interviewed by Sky Sport on the eve of the match against Sporting Braga.

“The point is that we want to do well. They are not easy games, but our goal is to move forward, just like Braga will want to do,” he said.

“I am sure it will be an open game, with two teams playing to win.”

“Braga’s strengths are that they are a team that manages possession very well, but they have also acquired characteristics typical of European teams. While maintaining possession, they often try to go vertical with determination.”

“They are a versatile team, capable of playing with a 4 or 3 defense. When they choose the 3-man formation, they field a fifth who is more of a winger than a defender.”

“We have analyzed them carefully, we are ready and I want to see a performance similar to the one offered against Lecce.”

“Paredes and Hummels? I always try to get in tune with my players and my teams. I am convinced that, by talking and stimulating them in the right way, the boys can understand their coach, understand what he asks and what he wants.”

“I always tell them: “You have to know just one man, while I have to know 26.” For me it is a longer job, because in addition to understanding their personalities I also have to evaluate their state of fitness, understand if they can carry out one task or another.”

“This means that I can make more mistakes, so I ask them to help me make as few mistakes as possible.”

“This is all very helpful to me as I prepare to become an executive this summer. I have all the information available, not just the technical ones, by being this team’s coach I can better understand everything that the Roma environment needs.”

“It has already happened to me in my career, especially at Roma, where I arrived three times during the current season. So it is not something complicated. I found very available players, and this was a fundamental help.”