Catania Coach Vincenzo Montella is looking forward to facing Inter today and Claudio Ranieri, the man he replaced at Roma.
Catania Coach Vincenzo Montella is looking forward to facing Inter today and Claudio Ranieri, the man he replaced at Roma.
“I have always had great games against Inter and in my career I've scored more goals against the Nerazzurri than anyone else, so I hope to continue that record,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of the 17.00 UK time kick-off.
“I have had the opportunity to talk to Ranieri through mutual friends. I have profound respect and admiration for the Coach and I think I can say the same from him.
“Ranieri is a man who deserves respect, a Coach to be taken as an example and above all a very balanced man.”
Montella was in charge of the Giallorossi youth team when he was promoted to the main job after Ranieri resigned last season.
“I had other plans and no real ambition to be Coach of Roma, at least not at that moment. Even when the newspapers had started to talk about me as an option, I kept out of it, as I didn't want to seem like the one who wanted to take Ranieri's job.
“We made the decision along with the club, but only after he had already resigned.”
Catania have notched up one home win and two draws, but were beaten 2-1 by Inter in this fixture last term.
“Other than the priority of points in the table, we also want to give this satisfaction to the Catania fans,” added Montella.