“You have to remember that we qualified for the next round with a game to spare…” began Claudio Ranieri commenting on the defeat to CSKA.
“This evening we had four or five good chances to score but that’s obviously the way it was supposed to go. I can’t fault my players; they were really determined to bounce back tonight but when the ball doesn’t want to go in there’s not much you can say. You have to know how to wait. We can be pleased with ourselves for qualifying, now we’ll look to the draw without saying this or that side would be better. We have to be ready for whoever and work even harder. We have to wait for the calendar year to turn and it will.”
The coach added: “We have to solve lots of things, that’s clear. This evening for example there were a few times when we were naive. Still, I don’t think we played badly and the youngsters gained a bit of experience. Faraoni? He had a great game, always alert and diligent. Obi did well as usual, I know what he can give me. Coutinho was making his first appearance since injury so he did ok. Alvarez did what I asked him to when he came on. He just needs a bit of time. He’ll get there slowly but surely – he certainly doesn’t deserve to cop the flak… I can’t complain: I asked the players to show me their character and I saw that, though of course the result doesn’t mean anything to us. It might seem strange but the team is in good shape; that’s what our analyses have shown. It’s more of a mental difficulty, because we fought hard and it didn’t turn out for us. But we’ll focus on Fiorentina now, which will be another tough game. We have to remain calm without being downbeat, otherwise we’d get our approach to the match wrong.”
Ranieri was then asked about Milito’s goal drought after the striker had several chances this evening: “He’s been incredibly unlucky…” smiled the coach, “Diego and the other forwards must keep calm, that’s just football and it normally turns around for you.”
“I’m pleased for Napoli and Italian football as a whole: three teams in the knockout phase is a good sign,” replied Ranieri when he was informed of Napoli’s qualification.
Finally, a question on the transfer market: “I certainly won’t be asking for anything through the media. Let’s get this run of games before Christmas out the way and then we’ll see. Tevez going to AC Milan? The Rossoneri have signed another world-class player, good for them. We’ll finish these games and then something will start happening.”
