Europa: Ranieri pledges support for Roma against Leicester City

Former Roma and Leicester City coach, Claudio Ranieri, has pledged his support for Giallorossi if the two clubs meet in the Conference League semis.

Ranieri accomplished one of the most incredible feats in the history of football by winning the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2016. The Foxes could meet Roma in the Conference League semi-finals, but Ranieri admits he’d support José Mourinho’s side.

“Of course, I am from Rome and a Roma fan,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Mourinho replaced him at Chelsea in 2004, in the second season of the Roman Abramovich era. The Russian oligarch has been picked as one of the mediators in the conflict between his country and Ukraine. What does Ranieri make of that choice?

“He has been chosen by Zelensky and Putin, meaning that he surely has excellent qualities,” the ex Sampdoria and Watford coach said.

What’s his view on the Serie A title race? Who is the favourite team and which player could be decisive in the final games of the season?

“Juventus are out of the race, unless something incredible happens. Milan are the master of their destiny. They picked up a draw with Bologna but created many chances.

“I have enormous respect for Simone Inzaghi. He hadn’t been given a lot of credit at the beginning of the season due to Inter‘s sales. I don’t think Inter have an easier fixture list. At the end of the season, there are no easy games.

“The responsibility will be on the strikers. Olivier Giroud, Victor Osimhen and Edin Dzeko.”