QUOTE
Ranieri offers Milan support
Thursday 12 April, 2007
Claudio Ranieri has rejected suggestions that he is supporting former club Chelsea in the Champions League. “I will be cheering for Italy,†the Parma tactician told Datasport this evening.
The London club qualified for the semi-finals of the competition this week after defeating another of Ranieri’s ex-clubs in the shape of Valencia, but he’s ready to forget his Stamford Bridge past to spur on Milan.
“I think that Milan can get past Manchester United in the semi-finals,†continued the Coach. “They’ve been one of the favourites since the very start.
“That is why I will say that Milan have what is needed in their squad to even beat this Manchester United team.â€
The latter strolled into the last four thanks to a 7-1 thrashing of Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
“As a Roman myself, it was very disappointing,†Ranieri continued. “All I can say is that it will serve them as experience to the city, the squad and [Coach Luciano] Spalletti.
“Now they must just forget what happened and look ahead.â€
The fact that the Premiership has three clubs in the semi-finals hasn’t gone unnoticed by Ranieri, but he’s confident that Italian sides will strike back.
“It’s significant that three English teams are there,†he added. “Their football is full of money, but what goes around comes around.
“I think Italian clubs can return to a certain level and I’m optimistic. A few clubs are picking themselves up and we just need a little time.â€
Football Italia