Ranieri: “We’ll always fight to the end. We’re going to Ferrara to get points”

Sampdoria’s never-say-die spirit against Lecce must be a staple of their game if they are to haul themselves out of the relegation quagmire, says Claudio Ranieri.

The coach began his media conference ahead of Monday’s visit to SPAL by taking the positives from the midweek match against Lecce, when Gaston Ramirez’s 90th-minute equaliser rescued a point for Doria.

“The message I want us to give the fans is that we’ll always fight to the death, as we did against Lecce,” Ranieri said. “The goal was the result of our perseverance and because we kept believing.

“Despite the result, my impression was still good. When a player battles, it’s always a positive display. That’s what happened on Wednesday. When things aren’t going for you but you keep trying, it’s always good. The equaliser was vital because it encourages us to keep believing till the end – that’s what I demand of my players.

“At times like this you have two paths available to you: you can fight or you can give up. I don’t want players who back out.”

Ranieri also spoke in bullish terms about Doria’s trip to SPAL.

“We’re going to Ferrara to get points. We respect them and I know it won’t be easy because they’ve picked up all their points at home so far. We know we must go there and fight for every ball.”