Ranieri blocks Pellegrini’s Roma exit and makes Serie A title prediction | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri is convinced that Lorenzo Pellegrini won’t leave Roma in January and predicts that Napoli will finish ‘first or second’ as Antonio Conte is a hammer.

Corriere dello Sport released the second part of Ranieri’s interview on Thursday, starting with a question on Pellegrini’s future.

“I am convinced he will stay,” said Ranieri. “But I’d like to clarify one thing.

“He didn’t insist on starting in the derby. No player has ever asked me to play. A few words on Saturday morning were enough. I don’t waste three hours talking to the team; the player’s attention span is eight seconds,” the Roma coach added.

Ranieri blocks Pellegrini’s Roma exit and makes Serie A title prediction

epa11753656 Roma’s coach Claudio Ranieri looks on during the Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC, in Rome, Italy, 02 December 2024. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MEO

Pellegrini had not played at home in Serie A since October 31 but started in the latest derby della Capitale, scoring the opener after less than 10 minutes and contributing to a 2-0 win.

“I had decided to keep him on the bench, but I saw a different light in his eyes, and I understood that he had an enormous desire to play. I changed my mind, and both were happy with it,” Ranieri explained.

Roma are already out of the title race, but are defending champions Inter still the best team in the league?

“Yes, and Napoli right below,” said Ranieri.

“Inter lost in the Supercoppa, but they have the potential to bounce back quickly because they have solidity and have been working with the same coach for years.

“Napoli will finish first or second, surely,” concluded Ranieri.

“Conte is a hammer and he understands the teams and the perspectives in less than a second.”