Leicester will be relieved to turn their attentions back to the Champions League tonight.
The Foxes’ woeful league form continued with their seventh loss of the season against fellow strugglers Sunderland at the weekend, but in Europe, they look a different outfit altogether.
Claudio Ranieri has already ensured his side have qualified for the knockout stages, but that doesn’t mean he’s not under pressure.
Remarkably, in spite of last season’s shock title triumph securing the Italian a place in football folklore, there are still question marks over his job as Leicester linger just two points above the relegation zone.
That makes the Champions League even more important for them, but Ranieri insisted ahead of the trip to Porto that he isn’t worried about being given the sack.
“Never, because it’s not my decision,” he said, per Sky Sports.
“The owner is always behind us, he always tells us how he can help us and is always positive. Of course he’s not happy – no-one at the club is.
“When we win, we win together. When we lose, we lose together. My experience says it’s important to stay calm and be positive, believe in your players and do the best for your team.”
Ranieri has taken the wise decision to rest some of his key players against Porto, confirming that star men Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez won’t play and he will instead hand some of his fringe players a chance to impress.
Leicester will undoubtedly have one eye on their next Premier League game, a tricky home encounter with Manchester City on Saturday.
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