After three games without a win in all competitions, Monaco ended their slump with victory at Nantes' Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday thanks to Mounir Obbadi's 70th-minute goal.
The win kept Monaco just a point behind second-placed Lille and five points adrift of Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain but Ranieri was more focused on what the success meant for his players, while the 62-year-old Italian also praised his team's performance versus Nantes.
"It was important for us to win tonight, not because PSG and Lille won, (but) after three games without a win and where we did not play well and we did not take many points we need this result," Ranieri said.
"Today, I felt we played well with the ball, we pressed our opponent well and created many chances, so I am very satisfied with my team tonight."
"I did not want to take any risks with Falcao because before the game his thigh was painful but I still decided to start him," Ranieri said.
"It is normal that he is will be disappointed about being substituted but, as I said, I preferred not to take any risk with him tonight."
