Ranieri under pressure as Roma flop again
Roma are still waiting for their first victory of the season after a 2-1 loss away to promoted Brescia left them stuck in the Serie A relegation zone with two points from four games.
This is the third successive campaign that the Giallorossi have started in underwhelming fashion but probably the most unforeseeable of the bunch, given that they ended 2009-10 in great form, didn't lose anybody major over the summer and made encouraging additions such as Marco Borriello.
At least in the past they have had the excuse of tough fixtures, whereas this year they have kicked off against two promoted teams and the two weakest surviving clubs last term. Things are about to get a lot tougher too as they welcome Inter Milan this weekend and then visit Napoli.
Having at one point in pre-season been [4.2] to win their fourth scudetto, Claudio Ranieri's side are now out to [14.0] and eight points off leaders Inter, although it should be pointed out that they were far further adrift at one stage last year before eventually missing out by two points.
You'd think that given the incredible job Ranieri did inspiring that title charge with little financial support, his position would be secure for a good while yet, however there's no such thing as a comfortable coach in Italy.
Former Italy boss Marcello Lippi has been talked up as a potential successor in the press and has made no secret of his desire to get back to work, and it appears the seemingly permanently unlucky Tinkerman, who earned so much admiration for his dignity when undermined at Chelsea, is cracking under the pressure.
The Roman used a pre-match press conference last week to attack the media over suggestions he had fallen out with self-styled Mr Roma, Francesco Totti, and various other criticisms they had levelled at him.
He was furious again last night, slaughtering the official he deemed responsible for awarding the penalty that handed Brescia a 2-0 lead. He said: "If the linesman gave it then he ought to be hospitalised for tests on his eyesight. He can't see anything!"
Are Ranieri's days at the Stadio Olimpico numbered, or will they respond in style with victory over Inter on Saturday? They are [3.5] to triumph...
Published: 23 Sep 2010
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