Roma trained at a football field on the outskirts of London, because it was difficult for Luton to provide them with a training base with a slightly better environment.
Ranieri looked at Roma's recent situation with some concern.
Totti was injured!
This was very bad news for Roma; Totti had undergone surgery on his right knee meniscus a few days ago. The Roma forward, who had scored sixteen goals in the last twelve matches, would now be out for at least twenty days. For Ranieri, he could only find the best combination among Roma's current attacking options: Vucinic, Baptista, Okaka, and Menez.
Roma's form had been poor recently. They first lost 1-2 away to AC Milan, and then lost 0-1 at home to Livorno. The problem of weak offense after Totti's absence was fully exposed.
And the Montenegrin forward Vucinic, whom Ranieri relied on, had squandered countless opportunities in the matches. The Montenegrin forward had not yet scored in the league this season.
Before Roma departed for England, the Roman media had already begun discussing whether Ranieri would bench Vucinic in this match and let other attacking players try playing in the center.
This match was a crucial battle for Roma, as the outcome would directly affect the group's subsequent ranking trend.
If, just in case, Roma were to lose, their chances of qualifying from the group would become extremely difficult. Even a draw would be much better than a direct loss.
However, Roma's players seemed quite relaxed, and laughter often echoed on the training ground.
Defeat Luton?
Even though Roma's recent form wasn't good, the players didn't think this goal was particularly difficult.
Even though Luton had won so many matches and even defeated giants like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool last season, in people's minds, Luton was still more often associated with terms like "grassroots team" and "dark horse."
In the minds of Roma's players, they were just a third-tier team anyway. As long as they took it seriously, wouldn't defeating Luton be a piece of cake?
It was just a Europa League group stage match. The first match was just because Roma wasn't ready. In the end, the top spot in this group would naturally belong to Roma.
In terms of strength,
Serie A powerhouse Roma should, of course, be the top team in this group!
Ranieri keenly sensed the team's mentality.
Fame really could influence people. Even though Luton had already won two consecutive group matches and accumulated six points, the Roma players' first impression was still that Luton was just a weak third-tier team.
He knew that if Roma's players went into the match with such a mindset, Roma might follow in the footsteps of those big Premier League teams—Luton was definitely not a team to be underestimated. Fame could only represent the past, not the current strength!
For the afternoon training session, Ranieri simply gathered the players together in a meeting room to watch videos of Luton's matches.
These were videos of Luton defeating Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool one after another, as well as their draw with Manchester United this season.
"I know how you all feel about the Luton team right now. To be honest, when I first heard the name of this team, I felt the same way as you," Ranieri spread his hands. "Just a small team, nothing worth paying attention to."
"But if we still hold onto such thoughts now, then we are not far from failure."
Ranieri held up a finger.
"Chelsea! Arsenal! Liverpool! Manchester United!!!"
"Do you think we have absolute certainty of winning if we face these teams?"
Ranieri's words made the Roma players' expressions turn serious. These teams were all strong teams in the Premier League. Ranieri asking if they had absolute certainty of winning was actually being considerate of the Roma players' feelings—with Roma's current strength, they would be at a disadvantage against any of these teams.
Looking at the paper strength of the squads, Roma was far behind these teams.
"Everyone, take a good look. These are the videos of Luton defeating these teams," Ranieri motioned for his assistant to turn on the TV.
"If defeating one strong team might be due to good luck, then continuously defeating so many strong teams cannot be described as just good luck!" Ranieri propped his hands on the table, his eyes shining brightly through the frames of his silver-rimmed glasses!
"That means they really have strength!!!"
On the TV screen, Luton's goal highlights were edited together, accompanied by Ranieri's voice. The Roma players' expressions gradually became serious.
The opponent... is really not easy to deal with.
...
Ranieri was using this method to dispel Roma's complacency, while Gao Bo did not have such worries.
Luton's players knew how difficult it was to win against those strong teams, and a team from the English League One being complacent when facing Roma? That would probably make people laugh their heads off.
Luton was also seriously preparing for this match. Gao Bo was now more interested in the Europa League stage.
Because just before the match against Roma, the Football Card System suddenly issued a task.
"The Road to the Europa League!!"
Gao Bo was in tears when he saw this task. Finally, there was a new task. Otherwise, relying solely on experience from match after match, it would take forever to level up.
"Leading a third-tier league team to the top of the Europa League is an unprecedented achievement, and it will naturally be extremely difficult, but when you succeed, the fruits of success will be especially sweet!"
"Task Objective: Win the Europa League Championship!"
"Task Reward: One Orange Card Exchange Voucher! Fifteen thousand experience points!"
Gao Bo frowned slightly when he saw the task reward.
That's it?
Only fifteen thousand experience points... This system is too stingy...
However, Gao Bo had already planned to give it his all in the Europa League, so he didn't have much to say about this task reward. An Orange Card was already quite good. The effect of Blue Cards was already very good, and Gao Bo was looking forward to what effect an Orange Card could achieve.
Win the Europa League!
That would truly make a name for himself in European and even world football!
Gao Bo recalled another young coach, Villas-Boas. This disciple of Mourinho also gained the favor of giant clubs after leading his team to win the Europa League.
However, Villas-Boas led Porto, while Gao Bo was leading Luton!
The two teams were completely unequal in terms of level.
Luton winning the Europa League would be a true shock to the entire European football world!!
This was where Gao Bo's ambition lay.