Bitter Ranieri laments shock loss

ROME - Inter Milan coach Claudio Ranieri was left searching for his side's true identity following a humiliating 4-0 humbling at his former employer Roma on Sunday.

Ranieri's team has now picked up just a single point from its past three league matches having won seven in a row before that.

And it has left the former Chelsea and Juventus boss wondering what's happened to the team that seemed to be building up to a title challenge when beating neighbor AC Milan in the derby last month.

Now, though, it trails leader Juventus by nine points while having played a game more.

"We have to give credit to Roma, they played a really great match," said Ranieri.

"We weren't valid opponents, they were more determined and faster, we were too morbid, it was a non-match on our part.

"We're no longer ourselves, we concede goals ... from Tuesday we have to start reacting because we can't continue like this."

However, Ranieri vowed to drag Inter back up by the scruff of its neck.

"We've fallen down many times and many times we're got back up and that's the reaction I expect again this time," he said.

It was the second game in a row that Inter has leaked four goals following an enthralling 4-4 draw with Palermo in midweek.

But for Ranieri this was a disappointing return to a side he had guided to second place in the league two seasons ago.

"It was a bitter return for me to Rome, we didn't even turn up," he said.

"After the splendid win over Milan we haven't been ourselves, we've dropped anchor and we're not determined or concentrated any more.

"They surprised us from a corner which is something we worked on after Palermo.

"There will be time to reflect, but this time we've got to sort it out and start being ourselves again."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 02/07/2012 page23)