Ranieri calls on side to build on second-half display

Claudio Ranieri looked for the positives as he gave his thoughts on his team’s 2-1 defeat at home to Milan on Sunday night.

“Grit, determination, willingness to fight, suffer and help each other – that’s how I want my Samp team to be, like in the second half, when we reacted and pushed for a goal,” he said.

The coach added: “We were focused in the first period, but we weren’t able to counter. When we were playing out we gave the ball away a few too many times. Then the penalty broke the deadlock.

“We didn’t give up, however. We had chances at the end to equalise.”

Meanwhile on the various incidents in the game – of which there were many – Ranieri was complimentary of the referee’s performance.

“I believe ultimately that the referee made the right calls,” he said. “If we go out with that same determination, soon those incidents will go in our favour.

“We were a little too defeatist in the first period, even against a Milan side who were playing their football and are in good form.

“We need to rediscover that form from last year. We need to roll up our sleeves and face Napoli and Verona with courage, pride and determination.”