Claudio Ranieri has registered quite a handful of records to his name in his glorious managerial career, but the 4-3 comeback victory over Frosinone is perhaps up there as one of his greatest achievements. The humble veteran praised his Cagliari outfit for fighting until the end after executing the most historic comeback in Serie A.
Cagliari: the first team in the history of #SerieA to win a match having been three goals down in the 70th minute.
IMPRESSIVE. pic.twitter.com/camQlxs588
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) October 29, 2023
Ranieri spoke to the press after the shock home win over Eusebio Di Francesco’s team.
“I liked everything except the first half when we were dominated. We allowed Frosinone to play as they wanted, and they play very well. Luckily, I have guys with huge hearts and they fight to the end, pushed by the fans who believe in us.” (via CagliariNews24)
The comeback also gifts Ranieri his first win of the Serie A season after 10 games, leaving Udinese and Salernitana as the only other two teams with no victories yet.
“I am someone who always hopes for impossible things, we must never give up and fight until the last second. We make a series of mistakes when we are not calm, and football is also to be played with a calm mind. We must be aware that this is an important first stepping stone: if we are scared, we don’t play well; if we are desperate, it causes pain for our opponents.”
Leonardo Pavoletti became the second Serie A player to score a brace after the 90th minute, something only Fabio Quagliarella managed to do for Sampdoria against SPAL back in 2017.
“I told him what he had to do. He’s an incredible professional, he motivates others in training, if we make these comebacks, it’s thanks to the players who care about the club, they make inspiring speeches to their teammates. I see a bit of José Altafini in Pavoletti, when Juve had to score, they put him in and he hit the net. It doesn’t mean that he can’t play from the start, but I have these feelings when to put him on the pitch.”
Ranieri and Cagliari face Udinese next in the Coppa Italia second round at the Stadio Friuli.
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