Legendary goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca has praised Claudio Ranieri for the start he has made as boss of Roma.

Pagliuca, who won a host of honours with Sampdoria in the late eighties before playing for Inter Milan, Bologna and Ascoli, has been impressed with the impact made by Ranieri since taking over the capital club.

Speaking to Radio Incontro he commented "Ranieri is not like [former coach Luciano] Spalletti.

"He implements a more static type of football, where players run less but cover more space.

"Ranieri's journey so far has been positive. It's not easy to win games against Siena or particularly Fiorentina.

"The draw on Wednesday against Palermo on a very difficult pitch was also important."

Roma face another trip to Sicily on Sunday when they lock horns with bottom three team Catania.

Ranieri's men currently lie mid-table with seven points - just ahead of city rivals Lazio who themselves entertain Palermo this weekend.