Ranieri: “Excellent performance, just a shame about the late goal”

Claudio Ranieri was a little disappointed after being minutes away from a famous win at San Siro but full of praise for his players.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw with AC Milan, the boss began: “We came here to win and we’re a bit sad about conceding late on but my team played really well.

“The sending off could have been avoided and made it hard for us to get the second goal but I’m delighted with our all-round performance. Our opponents didn’t have a shot on target until the 82nd minute. Tactically we were spot on. Everyone went the extra yard for the team. We pressed the opposition well in their half and dealt with the pressure well when we were pushed back in our own.”

The boss also commented on Fabio Quagliarella’s quick thinking to score the opener before setting Sampdoria’s target for the final part of the season.

“Fabio reacted before I realised what he was doing – he saw the keeper off his line and went straight for the lob. He’s been producing moments of magic like that all his career.

“We want to repeat what we did in the first half of the season and get another 26 points. We have one point less so far so we’re on the right track.”