AS Roma Vs Athletic Bilbao, Claudio Ranieri's Sharp Instinct Returns

ROME, FRIDAY – After a long absence, Claudio Ranieri has once again showcased his old talent. The AS Roma coach seems to possess a sixth sense in identifying a player's potential. His decision to bring on Eldor Shomurodov and Alexis Saelemaekers in the second half during the 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao paved the way for Roma to advance to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Shomurodov ultimately emerged as the hero of victory at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome, early Friday morning (7/3/2025) Western Indonesia Time. Just as the match seemed destined to end in a draw, Shomurodov's strike successfully led "I Giallorossi" to overturn the deficit.

Roma's winning goal would not have materialized without Ranieri's decision to field Shomurodov and Saelemaekers. The two substitute players executed a combination that successfully broke through Bilbao's defense.

I tried to improve the players' skills where I saw they needed enhancement. However, they must be free to play in the way they know, to move forward and help the team.

Instead of retaining Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala, Ranieri opted for player substitutions that left the entire stadium puzzled. The 78-year-old coach brought in Shomurodov and Saelemaekers. Time later proved that the decision to play these two players was a brilliant one.

Ranieri revealed that he always strives to instill confidence in all players. That is why he does not focus solely on specific players. For him, every player has unique potential. The coach's task is to discover that potential and bring it out at the right moment. In an interview, Ranieri once stated that he has players who can change the final outcome.

"I try to improve the players' abilities where I see they need enhancement. However, they must be free to play in the way they know, to move forward and help the team. I provide them with guidelines and instructions. We analyze the opponents and work to figure out what needs to be done to create problems for the opponents," said Ranieri after the match.

Since long ago, Ranieri has been known to have a special instinct in smelling a player's talent. Ranieri's instinct was revealed, one of which was when he decided to buy N'Golo Kante while still managing Leicester City. Of the two choices of players to fill the midfield position, Ranieri chose Kante over Jordy Clasie.

Thanks to that instinct, Leicester finally made history by winning the Premier League for the first time. Kante emerged as the best defensive midfielder at that time. His ability to read the direction of attacks and win duels made Leicester's defense not easily exposed.

Ranieri seems to have a touch that can bring out the best in players. In Roma, he improved the performance of right-back Zeki Celik. Before Ranieri took over as Roma coach in November 2024, Celik had struggled to perform well.

In Ranieri's hands, Celik became more alive. When facing Bilbao, Celik's maneuvers made things difficult for the opponent several times. In a situation where he was behind due to Inaki Williams' goal, Celik moved up to the heart of Bilbao's defense and then sent a cross that was converted into a goal by Angelino.

In the first half, Roma dominated possession but struggled to create dangerous chances. Ranieri used a 3-4-2-1 formation with Artem Dovbyk playing as the lone striker. He was supported by two trequartistas, Paulo Dybala and Tommaso Baldanzi.

Despite his role as a striker, Dovbyk often bounces the ball to Dybala and Baldanzi. Roma's attack pattern begins with a long ball to Dovbyk. With his tall and big body, Dovbyk easily wins the duel for the ball. The ball is then bounced to Baldanzi or Dybala.

Roma had a few chances from that situation. But none of them really threatened Julen Agirrezabala's goal because of their poor finishing ability. Roma's inability to take advantage of their chances and the support of tens of thousands of fans turned into a disaster when Williams put Bilbao ahead.

"I think as usual, those who came on in the second half played very well. They changed the game. We scored at the end and we needed it, because we missed a lot of chances. Now we want to win," Baldanzi said.

The win over Bilbao continued Roma's positive run under Ranieri. With this win, Roma are unbeaten in their last seven games.

Despite winning, Roma cannot yet get carried away with the party. They will face a tough test at Bilbao's home ground which is also the venue for this season's Europa League final, the San Mames Stadium. That's where Roma will again need Ranieri's classic instincts. (AFP)