Ranieri hails Samp determination and commitment

Claudio Ranieri watched his new Samp side play out a tough fought draw with Roma in his first match in charge.

Speaking after the goal-less draw, the manager was happy with his team’s performance: “This is an important point – although we always try to win, sometimes you can’t.

“I must be pleased because the boys gave everything. They’ve really committed to the work we’re doing and there’s a positive feeling with the fans.

“We need to keep going in this manner, building confidence. It was important not to concede.”

Meanwhile, when asked about the display of captain Fabio Quagliarella, he commented: “What I liked from the captain is that he set an example for everyone out there: to fight, chase the ball, drop back.”

Ranieri continued: “It was a tactical first period and in the second we pushed forward more, trying to win the game at the end. After a week of excellent training, we were looking at how this would translate into a match. We did very well to force them out wide, as we wanted.

“I want cohesion across the board – the fans are getting fully behind us.”