APPIANO GENTILE – "I was happy with the team and even the French press wrote that Marseille robbed us, so that says it all." In his press conference ahead of Napoli v Inter, Claudio Ranieri started by talking about the Champions League defeat on Wednesday to analyse a moment "when nothing is going right" for Nerazzurri.
The coach continued: "I'm pleased with the character the side showed at the Vélodrome. Conceding a goal the way we did was a massive blow but we must carry on exactly as we've been doing, showing personality, determination and a desire to turn things around. I'm delighted with everyone who played against Marseille. We did lots of running, maybe we had a bit of a problem because of the tension we feel at the moment; we're afraid of being hit on the break, but that never happened."
Claudio Ranieri has seen lots of things in his career, but as the coach himself admitted: "I have never known a run like this, with six defeats in a row. Honestly. Is this the most difficult period I've ever had? No, because when I arrived the team was in very, very bad shape. Now we're a point behind Napoli, whose morale is sky high while we're coming off the back of six consecutive defeats. If we'd won one and lost another it would be different, but at the moment it's just a baffling situation, even though these lads are full of desire and determination. Just look at the way they went at Marseille, a side that hasn't lost a game since November."
Ranieri is not worried about his own future: "I don't feel my job is at risk. I know the club have confidence in me, I know where I picked this team up at the start of my time here and I know where I'm taking them. There is always light after the dark. Things can only get better. I feel I have lots of backing, even in the press, but we know that in Italy coaches are always talked about. I was told that some of the French journalists were amazed at the way I was criticised after the defeat and at how calm I remained. That's why people wonder if foreign coaches have what it takes to hack it in Italy. We're very critical and I'm one of those people who believes that criticism is necessary. Of course, you also have to be a balanced person to understand which
criticism is constructive and which isn't."
On his relationship with Massimo Moratti: "I often talk to him and he too was happy with the team's performance in Marseille. He was obviously disappointed to lose and today he told us about the way he feels: he wants to see a reaction and we're going to give him one."
The coach was quizzed about some of the stories and rumours doing the rounds: "I'm only thinking about tomorrow's match, I'm used to this sort of game. Was Milito furious with me for not picking him against Marseille? That was something I couldn't understand so I asked him and he said it was all false; that if he has something to say to me he will come and say it. He wasn't upset. I've always shown faith in him even to the point of getting criticised for it."
Ranieri was asked whether Pep Guardiola would be a suitable coach for a team like Inter: "There are lots of coaches that are suitable for Inter, but the main thing is to let them do their jobs in peace. He spent time in Italy as a player but I think his problem is the pressure he feels at home, in Barcelona, so if you can handle that you can handle anything anywhere."
