All in one night. The last at the Olimpico for Claudio Ranieri, the last real chance for Roma to hang on to the Champions dream. Only one thing is needed: to win. The rest will be seen by watching what Lazio, Juventus and all the others will do in this crazy three-way race for a place among Europe’s greats.
Fate is still wide open, and thinking about it today makes an impression, because six months ago all seemed lost. It was November when Ranieri set foot in Trigoria again, with a depressed and directionless team. Today, on the eve of the challenge with Milan, it is still there, playing it out. With dignity, with grit, and with his unmistakable style. At stake is not only fourth place: there is also the certainty of having completed a comeback that would be sensational.
Tonight will be five hundred benches in Serie A for Sir Claudio, and the Olimpico will welcome him as he deserves, knowing that it will be the last time he will see him there, standing in front of the Roma bench. It will not be the last game ever, but the last in front of his people will be. A farewell without proclamations, without forced romanticism, but full of meaning.
It is not known which Roma we will see on the field. The infirmary is crowded: out are Pellegrini and Dybala, and now Dovbyk, who has stopped with muscle discomfort. Despite everything, there is belief. Because Ranieri believes in it. And the team with him.
Meanwhile, the Friedkins have made their voices heard with an emotional video circulated on social media. Strong words, powerful images. But the fans, or at least some of them, were not satisfied: protest banners appeared in the night, a clear signal that unconditional support is not guaranteed by goodwill alone.
