We need to bounce back, says Ranieri

Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri is adamant that his team have not given up on their title hopes but said they first need to rebound from last weekend’s disappointing home draw against Chievo.

The flying donkeys’ Sergio Pellissier scored an injury time equaliser in a 3-3 stalemate in Turin as Juve lost more ground on Serie A pacesetters Inter Milan.

It means that with eight matches left they have nine points to make up on their rivals, although Juve host the champions next weekend.

But first things first, Ranieri wants a reaction from his team, something that won’t be easy away to fourth-placed Genoa.

“I’m expecting a reaction from the lads in Genoa. We need to get back on track following the blip against Chievo because our aim remains the same as ever, to win to try to catch Inter,” Ranieri told a pre-match press conference.

“We’re still fighting but our absolute minimum objective is to finish second.”

For many that would constitute success for a team that played in Serie B in the 2006-07 season and lost many of its best players following the match-fixing scandal that resulted in the club being demoted as punishment.

But Ranieri is not yet ready to assess this season.

“We’ll make an assessment at the end of the season even if we have to remind our fans that we are in a phase of rebuilding,” he added.

As for Saturday’s match, Ranieri knows it will be tough against a team that has lost only once at home this season, against Inter.

“We’re playing well,” said Ranieri. “(But) we have to be careful of Genoa, who play good football. To win we’ll have to play a great match.”