Athletic Club vs. Roma – Ranieri’s Pragmatic Approach for a Crucial Battle

Alright, football fans, we have a massive clash on our hands—Athletic Club vs. AS Roma in the Europa League! And let’s be real, when you have Claudio Ranieri at the helm, you know things are going to be interesting. The veteran coach isn’t one for overcomplicating things, and as Roma prepares to take on Athletic in the return leg, his words ahead of the match sum up everything you need to know.

Ranieri, ever the pragmatist, isn’t making bold claims or drowning in tactical jargon. Instead, he keeps it simple: hard work, discipline, and a little bit of that Italian football magic. His response when asked about the key to victory? “I don’t know what the key will be, but I hope it’s Italian.” Classic Ranieri—grounded, realistic, and full of that old-school football charm.

Roma heads into this game with a 2-1 lead from the first leg, but let’s not kid ourselves—Bilbao at home is an entirely different beast. The San Mamés crowd is one of the most passionate in Europe, and Athletic thrives in that kind of atmosphere. Roma’s vulnerability on set pieces is a major concern, and against a team that specializes in exploiting those moments, they’ll need to be razor-sharp in defense.

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But here’s the thing—Ranieri is a master at keeping his team focused. He doesn’t let them dwell on past results, whether good or bad. His philosophy? One game at a time. No distractions, no looking too far ahead. He’s already thinking about the next game against Cagliari, but for now, all that matters is this showdown in Spain.

And let’s talk about Paulo Dybala for a second. Ranieri couldn’t have been clearer—Dybala isn’t just a star player; he’s a leader. The Argentine’s talent is undeniable, but it’s his commitment to the team’s success that truly sets him apart. It’s not about personal glory; it’s about winning as a unit, and that mentality could be crucial against a relentless Athletic Club side.

Ranieri also addressed the challenges of modern squad management. With five substitutions now in play, keeping every player engaged is a delicate balancing act. But if there’s one thing he excels at, it’s making every player feel important, whether they start or come off the bench. Just look at Alexis Saelemaekers—he hasn’t been in the starting XI much recently, but Ranieri isn’t worried. In his eyes, every player has a role to play, and that trust can make all the difference in a high-stakes match like this.

Now, Roma fans, here’s the reality check—this game will be a fight. Athletic Club isn’t your typical Spanish side; they don’t just dominate possession and pass teams to death. They play fast, direct football, and they’ll throw everything at Roma from the first whistle. Ranieri knows this, and he’s prepared his squad accordingly.

Can Roma hold their nerve and see this through? Will the Giallorossi’s set-piece struggles come back to haunt them? Or will Ranieri’s old-school, no-nonsense approach be enough to grind out a result? One thing’s for sure—this is going to be a battle until the final whistle. Buckle up, folks, because this one is going to be intense!

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