Stadio Luigi Ferraris: Home of Genoa(credit:
Wikipedia)
Roma boss Claudio Ranieri insists he has no plans to quit the club despite the recent protest held by a group of supporters.
The Giallorossi have slipped to eighth in the Serie A standings and suffered a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in midweek.
That led to a group of fans heading to the club’s training facility and police were called in as flares and fireworks were thrown, but former Chelsea boss Ranieri is sticking with his hometown club.
He said: “I will not abandon the ship. I won't leave mid-season.
“It is a difficult situation, so as a native Roman I feel twice as bad, but I don't like to give in. I have always faced challenges head-on and will continue to do so.
“The Sensi family is selling up, while there is a new buyer who still has to complete the process. I received positive messages that they want to renew my contract, but we cannot rush these things.
“You have to consider the situation when I arrived, as there was no money and I knew it was an extremely difficult situation.
“I could've easily walked away last season, knowing the next term would be tough. However, that would've been like betraying myself.
“The fans want to see a team that gives everything on the field. They are focusing on the game against Genoa and want results. They couldn't care less about club plans and strategies for the future.”
Roma’s most recent Serie A outing ended in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Roma, while Genoa edged a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria.
Watch Genoa v Roma live at 365, kicking off at 14.00 GMT.