John Arne Riise's 89th-minute strike gave Roma a barely deserved 2-1 victory after Phillippe Mexes had cancelled out Massimo Maccarone's opener.

It was the Giallorossi's first points after back-to-back defeats had left them bottom of Serie A and prompted former boss Luciano Spalletti to resign after five years in charge and Ranieri was delighted to get off to a winning start.

"It was full of emotions but what was important was to start with a victory," he said. "We suffered against a great Siena side.

"I can't say they surprised us because we know them, but in counterattack Maccarone scored a great goal.

"We never gave up, then the equaliser managed to release us, because at the beginning the team were narrow and scared."

Ranieri will have little time to settle at Roma as the matches will be coming thick and fast with the start of the Europa League midweek.

And the former Juventus coach is aware of just how important today's victory could prove to be.

"Now the lads have to find again security and calmness - and only victory can give them that," he said.

"There was a change of coach because Spalletti didn't succeed anymore in getting his message across, now it's up to me to continue Spalletti's splendid work.

"The important thing was to give back enthusiasm and a desire to fight, and the team did that today.

"I have found a good group who have done very well in the past few years.

"The lads now have to change the record, I am different to Spalletti. They have to understand what I want."