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Veteran coach Claudio Ranieri says he is confident Juventus will finish in the top four of Serie A after a 1-1 draw with Roma on Sunday — but reaffirmed his decision to retire at the end of the season.
Speaking after the match, Ranieri praised Juventus for their intensity under new manager Igor Tudor but was proud of how his Roma side responded, especially after Eldor Shomurodov’s early second-half equaliser.
“Juventus are a great team, and I would bet on them finishing in the top four,” Ranieri told DAZN. “We knew what to expect — vertical football and lots of grit. They didn’t surprise us, they just did it very well.”
Manuel Locatelli’s first-half volley had broken the deadlock for Juventus, ending Roma’s run of three clean sheets and seven consecutive wins. But Ranieri’s tactical switch to a 4-4-2 formation at halftime paid off almost instantly, with Shomurodov scoring just three minutes after coming on.
“We created chances before their goal, but it was important to hit back quickly. If you can’t win, then it’s crucial not to lose,” Ranieri said. “We organised ourselves and came away with a point.”
Derby della Capitale Looms
Next up for Roma is the Derby della Capitale against Lazio — a key fixture not just for city bragging rights but also in the race for European qualification.
“I told the lads, we’re now entering the final straight. Today could’ve been a false start or a sprint. In the end, we’re off the line,” Ranieri said. “The derby is a magnificent match, and I hope all the fans can enjoy it. Let’s hope for a high-quality game.”
“Big Ben Is Ticking”: Ranieri Ready to Say Goodbye
Ranieri reiterated that he has no plans to extend his coaching career beyond the current season. The 72-year-old only returned to Roma out of loyalty, following Daniele De Rossi’s departure earlier in the season.
“I had already stopped last year,” Ranieri said. “I told myself I would only come back for Roma or Cagliari. I didn’t want the call to come, because it meant things weren’t going well.”
Asked by former player Gianluigi Buffon why he would leave when still coaching at a high level, Ranieri replied with his signature wit:
“I’ve been travelling the world for 35 years, but I never get the time to see it. Before I die, I want to see what’s out there beyond football. I think that’s fair. Big Ben is ticking on, and it says time is up.”
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