Ranieri tells Samp to keep fighting ahead of Cagliari test

Ahead of Samp’s Monday night visit to Cagliari, Claudio Ranieri channelled his inner Indiana Jones as he discussed his team’s survival prospects.

“We’re out of the quicksand but we’re not yet safe. We’re still in hot water and need to fight, playing as we currently are,” he said.

The boss and his intrepid explorers will be in search of the treasure of three points when they travel to Cagliari. But it will not be an easy task, as their opponents are unbeaten in 11 games.

Ranieri said: “We’re going to face one of the most in-form teams in Serie A – they play in the same way, whether at home or away. Plus they’ll have the support of their crowd. I think it’s going to be a really interesting game.”

Early on in his managerial career, the Samp boss had a successful stint at the helm of Cagliari, guiding them from Serie C to Serie A.

He commented: “I have wonderful memories of Cagliari and Sardinia. They were three extraordinary seasons, at the start of my career – it’s where it all began for me.

“Monday’s game marks the start of a tough run, with five games in quick succession and against some difficult sides. Once that run is over, we’ll have a better idea of what this Samp side is capable of.”