Ranieri: Roma players were ‘pumped up’ at half time against Udinese | OneFootball

Claudio Ranieri revealed that he didn’t need to motivate Roma players, as they were already ‘pumped up’ in the locker room at half time when trailing 1-0 at Udinese and eager to make a comeback that eventually gave the Giallorossi their first away win of the season.

Penalty goals from Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk turned things around after the break, with the coach admitting he liked his side’s ‘will and determination’, the same traits he believes his men showed in their recent 1-0 defeat against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.

UDINE, ITALY – JANUARY 26: Claudio Ranieri head caoc of AS Roma embraces Kosta Runjaic head coach of Udinese Calcio during the Serie A match between Udinese and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on January 26, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Ranieri: Roma need to take ‘confidence’ and ‘anger’ from Udinese win

“They were already fired up from the Netherlands, where we played a good match but got nothing from it,” Ranieri told DAZN in a post-match interview.

“We wanted to put an end to our winless run away from home. They were pumped up and came back out early in the second half.

“I hear people say that there are now the hardest matches and then the easier ones, but which ones are the easy ones? I don’t see any. We can’t afford to think that way about any opponent; every match is difficult.”

Roma have won three of their last four Serie A fixtures, but Ranieri doesn’t feel such a positive run is enough to make them ‘dream big’, rather suggesting that his men should simply get ‘confidence’ and ‘anger’ from positive displays like the one they put in at the Bluenergy Stadium.

UDINE, ITALY – JANUARY 26: Artem Dovbyk of AS Roma celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the Serie A match between Udinese and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on January 26, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“Not to dream big, but it gives us confidence and the right kind of anger, which we can’t have only at the Olimpico,” Ranieri added.

“We need to be… without emotions! Then we can win or lose, but I liked the will and determination I saw, which was also present in the Netherlands.”

The former Leicester boss was also pleased with Devyne Rensch’s debut in the Giallorossi shirt: “It wasn’t easy for him; he’d only been here a few days and had just done two training sessions,” the coach said.

“But I knew him, he’s a guy who applies himself, and little by little, his teammates will get to know him as well.”