Claudio Ranieri
Can you explain what happened when the fan was taken ill in yesterday’s game?
Look I think now, all the medical staff are involved to help players and also the fans. A long time ago there wasn’t a defibrillator. And now it’s much better. And the communication [to us] was there is a man having a heart attack and then we stopped the match. We went inside and waited, and [the referee said], ‘I will tell you something more after.’ Then he came back to the dressing room and said: ‘Five minutes, and everything is okay, the man is conscious, everything is alright. When we take him to the hospital we will give you five minutes to warm up again.’ It was perfect. Very professional. The referee and the medical staff were amazing.
What did you think of the quick actions of the medical staff?
Of course, I am happy. I am happy because now I think something happens, in two or three minutes the medical staff arrive everywhere in the stadium. That is very, very important and it’s important also, the people who are around that man or woman, who has something, may be able to ask the linesman or somebody and then everybody is ready to help.
What did you think of Thomas Tuchel suggesting your team maybe deserved more from the Chelsea game?
Yes, we have frustrated everybody else [we have played recently] but that’s football. The performance was good and we must continue in this way. That’s the only thing I can say. And also to the players, our Premier League is building well. But now we have to start to make points. Against who? I don’t know. But now we have to get points.
Has the team developed much since you arrived?
Immediately I changed. If you remember when I came, my first match against Liverpool. The team doesn’t show this mentality. Now, we lost against Liverpool, we lost against Chelsea, and now another team arrives who is working to fight to win the Premier League. And we [will] try to do our best. We know we have a lot of respect, but we must continue to work hard to take points.
How do you prepare for playing Manchester City?
Of course, I prepare in the same way. I tried to study the opponent very well. And I try to tell my players everything they must do to try to win. Of course, there are two situations on the pitch. One, when you attack, and when you defend. And of course, we have to improve our attack and we have to improve our defence.
How do you limit this Manchester City team?
Yes, it’s a fantastic team. It’s a fantastic team. Guardiola is working very well. He has built a fantastic, quality team. They can make the difference in every situation, and for this reason we must be focused 100 percent on the match.
What do you think of Ralf Rangnick becoming Manchester United manager?
I don’t know him personally but the world knows he is a very interesting manager and I wish him all the best because the more managers who come to the Premier League, the more everybody can improve.
Do you feel like Christian Eriksen’s on-pitch cardiac arrest was a turning point in having the right medical staff and equipment ready at football matches?
I think, yes of course, the medical staff must be very, very ready for every situation. And of course what happened with Eriksen was a success from everybody. Thanks to [Simon] Kjaer who called everybody and it was okay. Now it is important to continue in this way. And also I think make your vaccination. It’s very important. Make your vaccination. We are safe with the vaccine.
What have you made of the Watford team since taking over?
I adapt myself to the quality of the players. When I watched Watford before coming here. I watched the first match, the Aston Villa match. I said this team has my philosophy. When I can do this, I want to do this to my players. And I believe that my players can do this. If they are good in other teams I want to know my team, and I try to put my players in the right condition to show that they’re game.
How will you adapt to numerous injury issues?
When there are some injuries you have to find a solution. You have to be clever, you have to study. Only with the job and the work you can do this. Of course, my experience helps me to try get the final solution. But of course, it is important also [that] I have very quality players.
Do you want to focus more on defence or on the attack?
Of course, I want a clean sheet. Not only one, not only one. But I believe we can achieve the clean sheet if we continue to play in this [same] way.
How do you stop Bernardo Silva?
We have to stop not only him, because if I look at him and I look at the others, I look at the others, I look at the others, we have to stop everybody. And then it’s important we stay together, very tight and help each other. Only in this way we can stop, not only Silva, but also the other players.
