Rome - Arabstoday
Claudio Ranieri feels that Inter play with more vigour in the Champions League, following their 1-1 draw with Group B rivals Trabzonspor on Tuesday.The coach of the Nerazzurri is of the opinion that his side show \'something extra\' against opposition in Europe\'s premier club competition, and now wants them to replicate their European form into domestic matters, after achieving a place in the last 16 of Uefa\'s premier club competition. \"In the Champions League, we have shown everyone that we have something extra, we\'ll now try to bring this into Serie A,\" Ranieri told the club\'s official website. \"We are managing ourselves out of the quicksand, but but we still have to improve. \"I\'ve already told the lads that we have to start thinking about Siena, who will be difficult to beat because they play as a team and have a very good coach.\" Despite Ricky Alvarez\'s early strike, the former European champions were forced to play most of the match on the back foot in Turkey as Halil Altintop rescued a deserved point for the hosts, but Ranieri was satisfied with their display as he complimented their professional approach. \"It was a strange game because we already knew we had qualified before the kick-off, but the team\'s attitude was positive and they did what they had to do,\" he continued. \"It is never easy to win a point here. \"And I have to congratulate the lads because they really deserved to qualify here, especially if you consider that it was an away game. I\'ll say it again, I\'m happy and it was a good match.\" Ranieri then offered his analysis of Inter\'s displays in Europe this season, claiming that his team were forced to overcome a \'handicap\', after starting their campaign with a loss, ironically to Trabzonspor, under previous incumbent Gian Piero Gasperini. \"Remember that by losing to Trabzonspor in the first match, we started the campaign on zero points,\" he said. \"We started off with a handicap and finished on top and I\'m pleased [to finish top]. The lads have played well and put in great effort.\" The former Chelsea boss then proceeded to reiterate his praise for Alvarez, who scored his first goal in Inter colours on Tuesday, and is hopeful that the former Velez Sarsfield playmaker\'s career at San Siro is beginning to flourish. \"Alvarez does have a sort of lanky stride, he looks sluggish, but when he takes you on he gets past you,\" he remarked. \"A goal was just what he needed and I\'m glad he got one, as his performance was remarkable. Alvarez has talent. He listens to me and concentrates on getting the job done.\" Ranieri then assured supporters that they will see out their group stage campaign in style, with a home fixture against CSKA Moscow on December 7. \"The fans have nothing to worry about regarding Trabzonspor,\" he assured. \"We\'ll make sure we fulfil our duty to finish off the group stage at home in front of our own fans at San Siro against CSKA.\" Inter have progressed from Group B in the Champions League, claiming top spot with nine points, and will now look to bring their form to Siena in Serie A on Sunday.