Claudio Ranieri said Sampdoria need to play ‘a perfect match’ against Juventus on Saturday and said the ‘championship is open in both ends’.
The 69-year-old praised tomorrow’s opponents and stressed the Bianconeri are ‘a candidate for the Scudetto’ under new coach Andrea Pirlo too.
“Juventus are a team that have changed coach but are doing well,” Ranieri said at a press conference. “New players have arrived, who have settled well, so they are a candidate for the Scudetto.
Claudio Ranieri said Sampdoria need to play ‘a perfect match’ against Juventus on Saturday and said the ‘championship is open in both ends’.
The 69-year-old praised tomorrow’s opponents and stressed the Bianconeri are ‘a candidate for the Scudetto’ under new coach Andrea Pirlo too.
“Juventus are a team that have changed coach but are doing well,” Ranieri said at a press conference. “New players have arrived, who have settled well, so they are a candidate for the Scudetto.
“They are a bit behind but have ample room for improvement and the beauty of this year, is that the championship is open, both in the Scudetto fight and the relegation battle.”
Ranieri believes his side have changed a lot since the first round of fixtures, when Pirlo’s reign started with a 3-0 win over the Blucerchiati.
“Compared to the first match, Sampdoria have changed a lot,” he said. “New players have arrived. Slowly, everyone is getting in shape. Let’s not forget that some players had stopped since February last year.
“Others, we signed this year. Like [Ernesto] Torregrossa, he’s not in the same conditions as all the others. I believe that this Sampdoria can still improve.”
Ranieri needs a ‘perfect match’ from his players against the Old Lady.
“You face them with great serenity, with a great sense of self-denial because when you meet these teams, you have to play the perfect match and you must also have a bit of luck.
“From them, even if you do everything perfect, the game of the champion will always come out."