AS Roma manager Claudio Ranieri says he is a big admirer of Tottenham Hotspur’s playing style under Ange Postecoglou as both sides prepare to meet in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, Afrosport reports.
The Italian tactician was recently appointed to see the Giallorossi until the end of the season after the dismissals of Danielle de Rossi and Ivan Juric and will be charged with steadying the ship.
Things however started on a losing note for the 73-year-old with a 1-o defeat to Napoli at the weekend and Ranieri, who will be in charge of Roma for the third time, acknowledges that the game against Spurs will be another difficult encounter based on how they play.
“It won’t be an easy match, and we know that. Tottenham have won 13 out of their last 15 matches in Europe with the other two ending up with a draw,” he said.
“They are in an excellent time because they have scored four goals against City. Of course, they have lost two matches [before City] but they have also defeated teams like City, [Manchester] United, Aston Villa.
“They are a team that are like a hammer. They are always pressing and attacking. They play the kind of football I love because it brings strong emotions to their fans. The head coach is doing an excellent and wonderful job. I want to congratulate him.”
🛫🏴#ASRoma #UEL pic.twitter.com/ktz1arUA1H
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) November 27, 2024
Roma currently occupy 20th spot in the Europa League standings while Tottenham are in eighth spot which is an automatic spot in the round of 16.