Ranieri wants response from Roma

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri is looking for an immediate response from his side following their recent disappointing results when they take on CSKA Sofia on Thursday.

The Giallorossi go into their Europa League Group E clash on the back of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Catania which followed their 3-3 tie at Palermo four days earlier. The outcome has left Roma in ninth position in the Serie A standings.

The Giallorossi do not have long to wait for a chance to make amends as they meet Sofia at the Stadio Olimpico.

“We don’t have a magic wand,” said Ranieri. “But with any illness, there is a cure.

“The team is trying to adapt and I hope we get continuity in results because this is the only medicine.”

Ranieri, who replaced coach Luciano Spalletti earlier this month, knows his team will have to step up their game if they are to avoid their second slip in the competition, Roma lost 2-0 at FC Basel in their group opener.

“Sofia is a team that plays a little bit like Catania, but has superior quality,” he said. “We will have to suffer and I can’t wait to see how my team will react.”

Ranieri has not ruled out making changes to his side in view of Sunday’s home clash against Napoli.

“We have another challenge on Sunday,” he said. “I have to evaluate whether or not to rest some players.”

Montenegro international Mirko Vucinic is set to lead Roma’s attack despite having failed to find the back of the net in five league appearances for the Giallorossi this season.

“Mirko is an extraordinary player,” said Ranieri. “He can give so much more and I believe he can become one of the strongest strikers in Europe.

“We must continue to give him confidence.”

Sofia are currently third in Group E after drawing their opening match 1-1 at home to Fulham. But Roma can take heart form the fact that Thursday’s opponents have never won in their seven encounters in Italy.

Unlike Roma, Luboslav Penev’s outfit have been in fine form in the domestic front, winning six of their seven games to remain unbeaten and lead the Bulgarian league standings.

The hosts will be without injured duo Marco Cassetti and Philippe Mexes.