Atalanta aims for Serie A glory against AC Milan
- Claudio Ranieri took over as Roma's head coach in mid-November.
- Roma defeated Lecce 4-1 at the Olympic Stadium, marking Ranieri's first win.
- The victory signifies a potential turnaround for Roma's season after prior struggles.
In Italy, Claudio Ranieri, newly appointed as the coach of AS Roma, secured his first victory by leading the team to a 4-1 win against Lecce on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium. This match marked a significant turnaround for Roma after a series of disappointing performances under Ranieri's management, who took over the coaching duties in mid-November. Previously, the team managed only one draw and suffered two losses since his return from retirement, which had left them struggling in the Serie A standings. During the match, the first half was competitive, with Roma's Alexis Saelemaekers opening the scoring, only for Lecce’s Nikola Krstovic to equalize with a penalty just before halftime. The second half, however, demonstrated Roma's resurgence as they dominated, netting three additional goals through Gianluca Mancini, Niccolo Pisilli, and Manu Kone. This emphatic win allowed Roma to rise to 11th place in the Serie A table. The victory also contrasted sharply with Juventus' recent struggles, where they salvaged a last-minute equalizer to draw 2-2 against Bologna, indicating a turbulent period for other clubs in the league as well. The landscape of Serie A is shifting, with teams aiming for the top positions as Napoli and Atalanta lead the table, showcasing the competitive nature of the season. As Roma celebrates this victory, it provides a glimmer of hope for a team that has faced a tumultuous season. The win is seen as an essential step in building confidence as they aim to make a serious push in the league and improve their overall performance under Ranieri’s stewardship.