Jon Brodkin on the Italian's distinguished but defiant approach to his predicament.
Claudio Ranieri's fate may be sealed, but that does not mean he has given up the fight. When the Italian suggested yesterday that he has taken strength from the talk about his future, he was not just sending a defiant message to his employers but reminding Chelsea's players what he expects of them tonight.
Ranieri has made it clear to his squad that there can be "no excuses" at home to Arsenal, despite the unspoken confirmation from Stamford Bridge that he will be out of a job at the end of the season regardless of the outcome. It is hardly normal for a coach to have to gather his players before a Champions League quarter-final to tell them to focus on the game, but then Chelsea long ago stopped being a normal club.
Through all the turbulence, Ranieri's spirit remains unbroken. He was his usual smiling, engaging self after training. Briefly he became agitated by questions about whether he told his squad he will be leaving this summer - "I don't want to speak about this, I want to speak about the match" - but gave the impression he has revelled in the constant and ultimately fruitless battle to impress the club's hierarchy.
"I'm like my boys," he said, seated between John Terry and Marcel Desailly. "I'm a gladiator. I like this. Why not? Face to face. I have some English spirit, don't worry."
He will demand the same from his players this evening. Terry again stated his backing for Ranieri and insisted all the players feel the same, but the coach does not want emotion to colour the performance in the season's biggest match.
"They're my blood, my strength," Ranieri said. "Their support is fantastic, but I said: 'It's not Claudio Ranieri that's important, it's Chelsea that's important'. I'm focused on Chelsea, and I said to them it's important to be focused on the match.
"There are no excuses. I want them to put their mind on the pitch."
If Ranieri is entitled to feel aggrieved that his future has already been decided, he will hardly be shocked. The Italian realised the moment Roman Abramovich walked into Stamford Bridge last summer that no amount of success this season could guarantee him another year in the job.
"Since the beginning I put in my mind that even if I win everything I can go home," he said. "Not now, from the first of July."
The pressure is effectively off against Arsenal, the favourites. Ranieri confirmed that Marco Ambrosio will continue in goal in the absence of the injured Carlo Cudicini.
"Until a year ago I watched the Champions League on television and sometimes I went to Highbury," Ranieri said. "I went by Tube, among the Arsenal fans. It was good, but now it is better. Now I can hear the sound of the (Champions League) music on the pitch."
Comparisons between Chelsea's often grinding performances and Arsenal's flair have helped to undermine Ranieri's position.
"Chelsea, it's true, sometimes haven't played well with style," he said. "But (only) sometimes. Were you in Rome (for the 4-0 win at Lazio)? When I had all my players we played not badly. But sometimes there are periods when it's important to get points. Last season we had a lot of draws. This season maybe we have changed this: 1-0, 2-1. That's important. The galacticos didn't win all the matches 5-0. They also lose."
