ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – JANUARY 23: Head Coach Claudio Ranieri of AS Roma looks on ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between AZ Alkmaar and AS Roma at AZ Stadion on January 23, 2025 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri and his players looked impressed as they stepped onto the pitch at San Mamés, where they will face Athletic Club on Thursday in the second leg of the Europa League Round of 16.
The La Liga side posted a video on their X account showing the Italian manager admiring the stands when asked, ‘Do you like it?’
Several Roma players followed suit, with the likes of Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes, and Stephan El Shaarawy all captured in the footage as they tested the pitch conditions on the eve of the match.
Ranieri said in his pre-match conference that he expects Athletic Club to ‘put pressure’ on his side ‘driven by his fans’ in a ‘heated atmosphere’.
