Lecque, Italy – March 29: Claudio Lanieri as Roma head coach during a Roma match at Lexe and Stadio Stardio on March 29, 2025 at Lexe, Italy. (Photo: Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Claudio Ranieri has seen improvements from Artem Dovbyk and hopes Roma will finish this season without “remorning” but is joking about the possibility that he missed it. “I told them they were taking me to the early grave!”
Gialorossi went on to run in an astonishing form with his seventh consecutive Serie A victory over Lexe to continue searching for a Champions League qualifying spot.
They wasted many scoring opportunities in the studio via Delmare, dominated Gianluca Mancini’s goal offside, but Artem Dovic hit ten minutes out of time to give all three points.
“We always have to believe in it all the way to the end. It was a difficult game, but the team was very focused from the start,” Ranieri told Sky Sports Italia.
“We wasted two easy goals and lost the stupid ball in the final third and gave us a chance. It was a tougher battle in the second half.
Dovbyk has struggled so badly earlier this season, and hasn’t adapted well to Serie football, but it appears he’s finally finding some form in one way or another.
“We have to ask for more to motivate him every day. We asked him to receive such a ball because we don’t always give him the right service and if he runs too much and it gets offside, he’s a learning and a very sensitive guy, so these goals help him,” explained Ranieri.
Ranieri is frustrated by the unnecessary Roman finish
Also, there were two major opportunities in the first half when Angelino scored the open goal side net, but Manukone fired at the goalkeeper after the High Press won it within the penalty area.
“Lecce wants to start playing from behind with the goalkeeper. I saw them struggling with the offensive team, so I told them not to give the ball time.
The defense has been solid lately, acknowledging that he has only one goal in a seven-game winning streak scored by Como. Can Roma really aim for a Champions League spot after a disastrous start to the season?
“It’s early. I told the players, we have to reach the summer without regrets. We don’t surrender with every ball. There are only eight games to go. They’ll all be as difficult as today, and we accept the outcome and see where we are.”
Inevitably, the doubts were born about his future, and Ranieri always laughed at it, joking about why he needed to return to retirement.
“Thank you, but I went to the locker room and told the young man, you’re taking me to an early grave! I’m lucky to have had all the heart tests!”
The coach said this week that Jean Piero Gaspelini and other reported candidates will not be the next coach for Roma, so they can find another Ranieri type.
“There’s no other Ranieri! I hope the ones they get are younger!”
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