Ranieri: Roma’s campaign starts against Lecce, Dovbyk ‘not feeling well’ | OneFootball

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri is convinced the month of December will mark a moment of ‘truth’ for his side, as he still has to get his first win since taking charge of the Giallorossi and admits striker Artem Dovbyk is ‘not feeling well’ ahead of their home clash against Lecce.

Following a challenging start, with back-to-back Serie A defeats against Napoli and Atalanta, Roma will now face an apparently softer fixture against Marco Giampaolo’s side but the former Leicester’s coach insisted he expects a ‘determined’ side who doesn’t look at ‘the name of the opponent’.

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 02: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma, applauds during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta at Stadio Olimpico on December 02, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Roma sit 15th in the standings before hosting the Salentini at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, just two points clear of the relegation zone, and while such placement reflects the ‘current state’ of his team, the 73-year-old is confident his players will ‘respond’ to his signals in a month that will tell them ‘a lot’.

Ranieri: ‘Not pleased’ with Dybala, December ‘month of truth’ for Roma

“I want a team that goes on the pitch without caring about the name of the opponent,” Ranieri told reporters at a pre-match press conference, as quoted by Tuttomercatoweb.

“A Roma that is determined every time. There’s a ball to be won.

“We need to be good against a team that know what they want. They have good players, and we need to do well. We must not look at a team like Lecce and underestimate them. December will tell us who Roma are and what they want to do.

“The intensity, based on what I’ve seen on the field, is the right one. The one I want.

“In training, when we need to push, they respond well. It’s not easy when I say they’ve changed three or four coaches. Players are like sponges, but they’re not computers. Some react immediately, others don’t.

“For me, how you train is how you play. Little by little, they’ll manage to do what I ask. December will be the month of truth.

ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 31: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Torino at Stadio Olimpico on October 31, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“The standings reflect the current state of the teams. We’re fighting to get out of the lower part of the table. I’m used to being either here or there.

You always need to fight. I’ve said December will tell us a lot. What do we need to do? I’m confident that my players will respond to my signals.”

Commenting on individual performances, Ranieri admitted to still being unhappy with the level of ‘intensity’ shown by Paulo Dybala, while he acknowledged that Lorenzo Pellegrini has ‘many qualities’, but they show up in the opponents’ half.

“Pellegrini is training well and is very important for me. He needs to keep going like this,” the Italian tactician added.

“I’m not pleased with Dybala, in terms of intensity, but he’s a quality player, so he can meet the coach’s and the team’s needs.

“Now the season starts. December will tell us who we are. Lecce are a team used to never giving up. They won in Venice and drew with Juventus. They have good players, and the new coach is highly motivated, so we need to be determined. Every ball will be important.

“Lorenzo is a fantastic player from the midfield forward. They all train together so I have the opportunity to choose who is doing better or who I think is better.

“I didn’t put him on [against Atalanta] because I needed a box-to-box player. He has many qualities, he has pace, and he can provide assists for goals. And I repeat, I see him as valuable from the midfield forward.”

Artem Dovbyk was on the pitch in Roma’s latest defeat against Atalanta despite not being fully fit, and Ranieri conceded he’s not sure he’ll be available to play on Saturday.

“The boy, except for his attacking phase, had a Greco-Roman wrestling match with his marker on Monday, and he managed to do a lot considering his current condition,” Ranieri said.

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 02: Artem Dovbyk of AS Roma shoots and misses during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta at Stadio Olimpico on December 02, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“As of today, he has the flu. He was able to play against Atalanta, but I don’t know if he will be available for the Lecce game. He’s not feeling well. I don’t know how he’ll be tomorrow.”

Asked about the condition of his defenders, the Giallorossi coach replied: “I believe football is a constantly evolving subject. What Mancini does on the right, Ndicka does on the left.

“Angelino has returned to play as a centre-back because marking Samardzic was the only option. Anything can happen in a match.

“Hummels trained, everything is fine, and so did Hermoso. Cristante has a bruised ankle. We’ll see what he does tomorrow, whether he trains or not.”

Finally, Ranieri concluded with a thought for Bove: “To close, I want to give a big hug to Edoardo. Hang in there. We’re all with you.”