Ranieri on what Tottenham, Napoli and Atalanta have in common and Dybala management | OneFootball

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri notes that Tottenham, Napoli and Atalanta have one thing in common and explains that he must assess Paulo Dybala after every training session.

The Giallorossi host in-form Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday.

Ranieri previewed the game two days before kick-off and just two days after a 2-2 draw against Tottenham in the Europa League.

“For the third game in a row, we meet a team with the same philosophy: attack at all times,” the Italian tactician said at a press conference.

“Napoli just started under Conte, while Tottenham has been playing with the same system for two or three years. Atalanta is a perfect machine.”

It will be Ranieri’s third Roma game since replacing Ivan Juric during the November break.

Ranieri on what Tottenham, Napoli and Atalanta have in common and Dybala management

epa11738808 Roma�s head coach Claudio Ranieri gives instructions to his players during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs AS Roma at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, 24 November 2024. EPA-EFE/CESARE ABBATE

“Our target is to make the fans proud. We are still not as in shape as I would like, but it’s tricky after just one week of work,” continued Ranieri.

“The English say: ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.’ We are from Rome, so give us some time.

“We’ll face a team that has won 10 games since September 10 and has scoredscored 35 goals, nearly three per game. They have the best attack and are the first team for goal-scoring opportunities. They are third for vertical passes, first for shots on target, and second for crosses. They eat the opponents, but I don’t want to see my players being eaten.”

Ranieri, a Premier League winner with Leicester City, was asked whether he and Gian Piero Gasperini have something in common and if they should have won more trophies in their careers.

“I look like a gentleman, but you don’t see me inside the dressing room,” said Ranieri.

“There are many ‘sons’ of Gasperini who adopt his playing style. On the contrary, I try to give my best to the players I have. I don’t have a defined system. My players are defined, and I must put them in the most suitable positions. I think I am a coach who takes the best out of his players in all situations. When I was sacked, my replacement never did better than me.”

Atlanta used to be Serie A strugglers fighting for survival, but Family Percassi changed the club’s history as Lea Dea have often qualified for the Champions League over the last few years and won the Europa League last term.

“The credit goes to the President who, in the first four years, used to say: ‘Our target is to avoid relegation,’ but Atalanta climbed in the meantime,” noted Ranieri.

“We’ll face a practically perfect team, even if perfection doesn’t exist. [Against Tottenham] I saw a spark, I saw the players striving for something positive.”

Ranieri also spoke about Dybala’s management, especially since the Argentinean has a clause to extend until 2026, but it depends on how many appearances he makes this season.

“I assess Dybala after every training session,” argued Ranieri.

“We know he may have a few issues, and I must be able to understand them. I replaced him in London because I needed a player who pressed the opponents and pushed them inside their box. When turned on, he did extraordinary things, like the assist for El Shaarawy or a great shot. Soulé didn’t do the exceptional things Dybala can offer, but he’s given me run and pressure.”