Ranieri: We go to the San Siro looking to take another step forward

The game - against another of Ranieri's former sides - promises to be an important clash in the race for the Champions League places in Serie. Kick-off at the San Siro is scheduled for 20:30.

Here is what the coach had to say...

It was Inter who pipped Roma to the Scudetto in 2010. How does it feel going back to that stadium as Roma coach?

“It’s a special feeling being the Roma coach – whether we’re playing at San Siro or another stadium doesn’t change anything. Being a fan of a team and being their coach makes you as proud as you can be. Playing Inter, who are fighting for a Champions League place but aren’t too far ahead of us, is a nice challenge.”

Would a victory tomorrow be another step forward in your development?

“If we fail to get a positive result, it won’t change our mood. However, if we do that could give us real impetus. It would be a significant result, but losing would not change our determination to fight for every ball.”

Will you play Steven Nzonzi in midfield, or will you go for Lorenzo Pellegrini alongside Bryan Cristante?

“I always make my team selection the night before the game. I’ve seen good things from the players – they’re determined. I’ll finish my assessments on Friday evening. I’ll share some of my analysis: Lorenzo has a bit more pace that Steven, who on the other hand is a good reference point when you want to play one and two-touch football.”

You’ve managed Inter and Roma, like Luciano Spalletti. How do you rate the work the Nerazzurri coach is doing?

“I never judge the work of other coaches – I respect them all. It is a wonderful job but a very difficult one. Success and failure is determined by small details. Every city has its differences – it always depends on the moment in which you arrive at a club. Of course, Spalletti knows Rome very well and is now experiencing Milan.

"I had little time to get to know Milan – I came during the season and left before it was over, so I only had a few months. I had the misfortune of losing two very important players: one was Thiago Motta and the other was Philippe Coutinho. With them, Inter were on their way back.”

Will Edin Dzeko and Patrik Schick play together tomorrow too or have you changed your mind?

“I haven’t changed my mind. I’ve looked at the issues we have and tried to find the right remedy. I knew Daniele [De Rossi] couldn’t play the full 90 minutes. If Pellegrini had started, he’d have been too tired to replace Daniele in that role.

"On Friday I’ll have to make similar assessments, knowing that we’re up against a team in form, which presses and is combative. I’ll need to pick a team with the full 90 minutes in mind.”

Regardless of the formation, could Nicolo Zaniolo play more centrally?

“I don’t think Nicolo is in his best vein of form. In the last month and a half, we’ve seen the best of him as a wide central midfielder, going box to box, rather than as a winger or a trequartista.”

Is it difficult being a prophet in your own land?

“I feel good here in Rome. My eyes sparkle for two teams: Roma and Cagliari. I came through the ranks at Cagliari, who gave me the chance to get to Serie A. I have memories of all my former teams but these two are the teams I have in my heart.

"I don't feel like a prophet; I simply feel like a professional who has been able to do his job, as he knows how. In the past I’ve come into clubs during difficult periods. I'm super happy with my career, which isn't over yet. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?”

Have the two consecutive wins brought back a bit of confidence? Are you more in tune with the players, mentally speaking?

“In this month and a half, we have got to know each other better. For them it's easier; they have to get to know just one person: me. I have to put more effort in to get to know all the players, but fortunately I understand them. The fact we kept clean sheets in the last two games and had to dig in to get the wins has been a boost to our confidence. Getting a win at the San Siro would be huge, but if we lose, it won’t change anything, because we know we have to sweat and fight, and show the fans our desire to end the season positively.”

Antonio Conte says he wants a compelling project. Could Roma be that?

“It’s not for me to say. I know what I need to do here – I need to try and get this team as high up the table as possible. I’m not the one who makes the club’s future plans. We coaches are always the last to know. I’m thinking about doing my job this season, then it will depend on what the club president wants to do and how the league finishes. You know very well that there’s a big gap between qualifying for the Champions League and failing to do so.”

Could we see a 4-3-3? Would Cengiz Under be ready to start on the right?

“As I’ve said, I’ve seen good things from all the players. There’s one detail that will be key in my assessments: how fit the players are and how many of them have 90 minutes in them. I can’t select four players who can’t play 90 minutes, since I can only make three subs.”

Do Roma need to be surer of themselves or more sensible and shrewder?

“We must always be sensible. I like a team that goes on the attack and I like to thrill the crowd, but it’s hard to come from behind and get goals. I’m practical – I see what tools I have, what I can ask of my players and where I can have them take risks.

"We need to be practical, but we also need to thrill. How can we do that? Fight for every ball, show heart in everything we do, and demonstrate that we want to win. It’s a straightforward concept, but the difficult thing is to do it out on the pitch, so I need to find the right tools to make it happen.”