Ranieri: Winning Europa League only a dream

(GSM) – Claudio Ranieri says he would like to win the Europa League, but for now it remains only a dream.

Roma must overcome a 3-2 deficit in Thursday’s last 32 second leg against Panathinaikos.

Despite being 3-2 down on aggregate, Roma remain strong favourites to go through to the next phase of the competition.

“Sure, I would like to bring a European trophy back to Roma after 50 years, but for the moment it’s only a dream,” Ranieri said.

“We have a 50 per cent chance of going through. We are ready.”

The Giallorossi won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1961. Since then they have appeared both in European Cup and UEFA Cup Finals.

Ranieri was also realistic about the Roma’s chance of winning the Scudetto this season.

“No, the title race isn’t open again because we are doing a super job. We are still on the last big bend then we’ll see the final straight.

“Inter are a great team. They are compact and decisive. On Saturday they deserved to win playing with nine men against 11.

“Our mind has now turned to the Europa League. We have to go through, both us and the other Italian teams in Europe, also to resolve the co-efficient.”