Ranieri: “Big performance needed against Milan and Ibrahimovic”

Claudio Ranieri has called on his men to start the new year in a similar vein to the way they ended 2019 – by producing a strong showing against AC Milan on Monday.

The coach wants the Blucerchiati to build on their performance against Juve which earned them plaudits – albeit no points – prior to the break.

“I hope we can produce a great performance and come away with something to show for it,” he began. “We’re going to need to play really well and build on our display against Juve while trying to cut out the mistakes. We must look to play with the same battling spirit, focus and teamwork we showed in that game.”

However, an already tricky trip to San Siro has been made all the more testing by the recent addition of Zlatan Ibrahomovic and Ranieri acknowledged the difficulty of the task awaiting his side.

“Obviously having to face Ibrahimovic is not the ideal way to start the new year. His return will boost morale and he comes with a winning mentality. Milan will be determined and have the whole of San Siro behind them.”

The boss spoke positively about his players’ fitness after the Christmas break and his relief that the treatment room is now starting to empty.

“The lads came back in good shape and they all stuck to the programmes we gave them for the holidays. We’ve got nearly everyone who was injured back again now too and that’s very important.”

Ranieri also mentioned what sort of business Sampdoria might be looking to do in the January transfer window.

“We’re keeping an eye out in the transfer market and I speak to the club every day. What we need at the moment are players who already have Serie A experience – we can’t be taking any gambles or blooding young players.

“Alex Ferrari’s injury means we have a more urgent need to do something in defence but I’m sure that whoever comes in for him on Monday will do a good job.”