Claudio Ranieri tried to hide his frustration after Cagliari capitulated 4-1 to Milan in the Coppa Italia. ‘Some players wasted a chance to prove I was wrong about them.’
Both Ranieri and Stefano Pioli fielded completely revamped line-ups for the Round of 16 tie at San Siro this evening, but despite fielding numerous teenagers, the Rossoneri still comfortably ran out winners.
“I am very disappointed,” Ranieri told Mediaset.
“We had started quite well, but then at the first goal we conceded, we just melted like snow in the sunshine. For a team that is fighting for Serie A survival, that kind of attitude is not good enough.
“You can lose to Milan, but at least make them sweat for it… Some players wasted a chance to prove I was wrong about them, to show that I ought to consider them for more playing time.”
The most damning goal for Ranieri was when Antoine Makoumbou was caught napping in the opposition final third by Theo Hernandez, who sprinted the length of the pitch to set up Luka Jovic.
“It’s worrying to see that of all the goals we have conceded this season, very few of them are really great strikes. We have too many distractions, mistakes, lack of sharpness.
“I am trying to hide my frustration, but I am angry, it’s true. I expected a better response from those who don’t get to play as much, but they floundered so quickly. You cannot lose like that.”
It was announced before kick-off that Gianluca Lapadula will be out for a while after he was diagnosed with two cracked ribs.