Claudio Ranieri has become Roma’s eternal firefighter, a man who enters a Rome in crisis and finds a way to make everything alright for the Romanisti. You won’t catch him overcomplicating things, drowning his press conferences in tactical jargon, or overindulging in self-importance. Instead, his words ahead of Roma’s return leg against Athletic Bilbao are a masterclass in the art of being a pragmatic, ego-free manager (what a change of pace from prior managers). He doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but he knows what matters: committed players, smart decisions, and a team-first mentality—alongside a little bit of luck.
Ranieri’s press conference ahead of this trip to San Mamés is full of the insights that make the Tinkerman such a unique character in modern football. He refuses to overanalyze Roma’s chances, preferring instead to take each game as it comes. Perhaps most tellingly, he frames his own career with characteristic humility. He’s proud to still be here, but he’s just as quick to remind us of the mistakes he’s made along the way. That blend of realism and gratitude is why he remains one of Roma’s most beloved figures.
For the Giallorossi, the challenge is clear. While it was critical to get a 2-1 win at the Olimpico in the first leg of this tie, Bilbao will be a different beast at home. Roma’s set-piece frailties are an obvious concern against a team that thrives in those moments. But Ranieri’s message is unwavering: stick to the plan, trust in the team, and attack and defend as a unit. Whether that will be enough to secure passage to the next round remains to be seen, but if there’s one thing we know about Claudio, it’s that he’ll have his team ready to fight until the very end.
Here are some Miotto’s Musings, fresh out the oven.
How has your job changed with the introduction of five subs? Or, as Massimiliano Allegri says, is a good coach one who does the least damage?
“Definitely. A coach is good when he doesn’t do much damage. I always say that. A coach’s strength is his players and I’m lucky to have good players who listen to me and who know that if I make a mistake it’s done with good intentions. They know I have no ulterior motives and I try to help them with everything I have and everything I know. Of course you need five players who deserve to play, who don’t play from the start but who understand the problem. We can all be a bit prickly and they might think that if they don’t play it means I don’t trust them, or something like that. But my players know that to me they are all not the same but all different to each other. Over the course of a match there are lots of smaller matches and these players allow me to change things. I’m lucky to have these players to work with.”
Miotto’s Musing: Classic Claudio. There’s no frills and no ego—just a coach who knows his success is built on the players he leads. This quote might be the purest distillation of Ranieri’s ethos I’ve ever seen. Five subs give the Tinkerman more room to tinker, sure, but they also come with a challenge. The manager has to keep everyone engaged, even those who don’t make the starting eleven. And if there’s anyone who can balance tactics with man-management, it’s him.
Are you able to repeat the first leg?
“I think there are already lots of games within a game. And no two games are ever alike. Tomorrow Athletic will have their fans behind them and they’ll be pushing even harder. We must be good at playing our own game, without fear, and try to attack and defend as we’ve been doing lately.
Miotto’s Musing: Ranieri, as always, keeps everyone grounded. A first-leg win is nice, but tomorrow’s match is no place for complacency. This isn’t just about riding momentum—it’s about showing up with the right mix of grit and composure, knowing that both ends of the pitch demand full commitment.
[Ranieri speaks after a question to Dybala about his leadership qualities, among other things]
“He’s not just a leader with his charisma and talent; he’s a leader in every way. He’s part of a group doing what’s best for the team. This is a team sport after all. I’m lucky to have leaders who feel they are part of the team’s fortunes. Everything they do is for the good of the team. He’s understood that and he’s like that himself. Him and his team-mates.”
Miotto’s Musing: Dybala isn’t just a star for Roma—he’s a standard-bearer. Like Ranieri, he puts the team first, leading with a quiet selflessness that elevates everyone around him. It’s not about personal glory; it’s about making those moments of brilliance count for something bigger.
What will the team’s mindset be? Like there hadn’t been a first leg or thinking you can win or draw and go through?
“I say we have to go out there and play our game, in the knowledge that we have a good, solid, tough team that will try to win the game. If we go onto the pitch with a sense of fear or the thought that we can afford to draw, then we’ll lose. I’ve already told them we need to play our usual game. Attacking and defending with 11 men, remembering our strengths and our weaknesses – and trying to cover up our weaknesses as best we can. We know what they are.”
Miotto’s Musing: Ranieri’s message to his players is clear—stick to what makes you, you. No matter the stakes, Roma has to lean into its strengths, shore up its weaknesses, and play with purpose. The moment they retreat into a defensive shell, they’ve already lost half the battle.
Could this match be a crossroads in Roma’s season, in one way or another?
“We’ll only know that when we get there. I tell the lads to erase the previous game, whether we won or lost it. What’s done is done. Water under the bridge. We have to think about the match we have to play tomorrow. Once it’s over, I already have the videos for the Cagliari game. That’s how I work: one game at a time. I can’t even remember the result from two games ago, or the players, because I’m focused on this game. That’s what I want. I’m not interested in whether we’ll go through or not, in whether it’s a crossroads or not. Tomorrow is a big match. That’s all. On Sunday we have another big match. I try to get the best out of the team and myself, one game at a time.”
Miotto’s Musing: This perspective underscores Ranieri’s pragmatic approach. By treating each match as an isolated event and maintaining forward momentum, he ensures that the team remains grounded, focusing on immediate tasks rather than potential future scenarios.
You won here in Bilbao with Valencia in 1996. Now you’re back here, almost 30 years later, playing for something important. Do you feel a bit of pride in that?
“Last season I knew I was retiring so when I went to the Olimpico, San Siro and so on, I said it was my last time there. Whoever would have imagined I’d be coming back to La Catedral. I am proud but when I stop coaching I’ll look back at what I did and I’ll say I could have done better. For sure. Knowing how I am, and being very strict with myself, I’ll look more at the mistakes I made. But that’s life and I have no problem facing up to my mistakes, just as I don’t I don’t go crazy about things I’ve done well. I put it all into the same pot. And I’m a lucky man. Lucky to have coached for so long. Lucky because being around young people keeps you young. Lucky because I’m doing a job I love. Not many people can say, ‘I’m doing the job I wanted and it’s fed me and my family,’ So I’m happy.”
Miotto’s Musing: It’s easy to forget that Ranieri was a player in his own right back in the day, but this response is again so typical of him: he’s a humble and grateful man. His acknowledgment of past mistakes, coupled with an appreciation for the longevity and joy derived from his profession, offers a refreshing perspective on the often tumultuous world of football management.
In the first leg Roma conceded from a set-piece and they’ve conceded seven so far this season. Do you think you’re able to change that?
“You can’t change from one day to the next, although I’ve tried both zonal and man-marking. When I said that we’d need to cover up our weaknesses, this is one of them. And we’re against a team that excels at set-pieces. So we’ll need to be very careful.
Miotto’s Musing: Identifying and addressing set-piece frailties is pivotal, especially against an opponent like Athletic Bilbao, renowned for their prowess in such situations. Ranieri’s candid admission underscores the need for heightened vigilance and tactical adjustments to mitigate this threat.
[The coach speaks in response to a question put to Dybala about his fitness.]
“I’m lucky to have a brilliant backroom team. I’m just the tip of the iceberg. Behind me I have a core group of people who work night and day to look after our players. One of whom is Paulo. It’s not just one person but an entire team who, with me, study different methods and how much rest to give the players. It’s a whole series of factors, not just one exercise. Otherwise, why didn’t he do it before? It’s a whole series of factors that prevent players from getting injured.
“We unearthed a statistic. If I’m not wrong, we’re the team with the fewest injuries and now [Zeki] Celik is injured. And that’s a problem. But that’s football. You get problems in football. We can only hope it’s just a brief spell and not a serious injury.”
Miotto’s Musing: Ranieri’s response underlines just why he’s so beloved throughout European football. Today’s game demands meticulous attention to fitness, recovery, and injury prevention, and his deference to his staff highlights a holistic approach rather than reliance on any single method. The statistic about Roma’s relatively low injury count is both a testament to this approach and a subtle way of reinforcing the effectiveness of his team’s work. Yet, as he acknowledges, injuries are an unavoidable part of football—Celik’s setback serves as a reminder of the sport’s unpredictability.
Is there a reason why Alexis Saelemaekers hasn’t started the last few games?
“No. Just as Hummels wasn’t playing, Saelemaekers wasn’t playing. I have lots of players and they can all play well. There’s no harm in them resting a bit. Besides, when he came on he performed well, scoring or setting up goals, so I’m happy. It’s fine by me.”
Miotto’s Musing: Ranieri keeps his response simple, dispelling any notion of an issue with any of his players. Squad rotation is a necessity in this moment as Roma juggles multiple competitions. Claudio’s reference to Hummels suggests that even high-profile players must accept periods on the bench. He subtly reframes the question, shifting focus from a perceived benching to the player’s impactful contributions when given the chance—a textbook example of maintaining harmony in a competitive squad.
What memories do you have of Athletic’s stadium? And what will be the key to success tomorrow?
“The atmosphere will be incredible. They have amazing fans and it’s a jewel of a stadium. Congratulations all round. I don’t know what the key will be, but I hope it’s Italian. We’re up against a great team that plays fast, direct football. They’re not your typical Spanish team that has a lot of possession. We know what their strengths are and how to play against them. We’ll see what happens.”
Miotto’s Musing: Ranieri’s admiration for Athletic’s stadium and fans is sincere, but his tactical insight stands out. By emphasizing Bilbao’s direct, high-tempo style, he distinguishes them from the traditional Spanish possession-based approach. His quip about hoping the “key is Italian” hints at Roma’s potential reliance on defensive solidity and tactical discipline—a nod to the historic strengths of Italian football. The last phrase, “We’ll see what happens,” is classic Ranieri: confident but grounded.
