Ranieri: “We need points against Lecce and a win would bring confidence”

Claudio Ranieri has admitted that Sampdoria need to get points on the board when Lecce pay a visit to Marassi for their Week 10 clash on Wednesday night.

“We need points, regardless of how we get them – even if it’s luck or an own-goal. That’s what I want from the team,” said Ranieri on Tuesday. “We’re up against a good side that has come up from Serie C to Serie A with the same manager and basically the same players. They know their game off by heart and never give up. They’ve got more points away than at home, so it’ll be a difficult game but we’ll do our best.”

Ranieri went on to call for a positive mindset from his players as they look to climb the table.

“Sampdoria aren’t used to being in this situation, but we need to be positive and give our all,” he said. “We played well against Bologna and I had the feeling that we could have won, but the corner punished us. We all have struggles – sport is a reflection of life. Only those who want to overcome difficulties succeed in doing so and we must.”

Ranieri also dismissed suggestions that the match is a decisive one for Samp’s season.

“No, but it is important,” he said. “A win would bring confidence. How do we get one? By showing desire, determination, respect and will to win.”