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Leicester Boss Claudio Ranieri Shields His Stars and Takes Wrap for Champions League Drubbing

Friday, December 9, 2016

Leicester Boss Claudio Ranieri Shields His Stars and Takes Wrap for Champions League Drubbing

ranieri
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has defended his players and taken full responsibility for the 5-0 thrashing at the hands of FC Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday.

According to the ​Mail, the charming Italian was quick to insist that the result should be blamed on him, rather than his much-changed Foxes side.

​Leicester, already through to the last 16 after a record-breaking five wins without even conceding in the group stages, rested key players for the Estadio do Dragao clash - leaving Robert Huth and star duo of last season Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez at home.

The 5-0 humiliation is the worst defeat suffered by an English side in the European Cup's 61-year history - an unwanted blemish in an otherwise sensational debut Champions League campaign.

The Italian said: "We knew it was a difficult match but I wanted to give a great chance to our players, to show strength, ability, desire to play in Premier League. But it was too easy for Porto.

"I am very, very sad. Okay, we can lose but not in this way. My players lost a very great chance to show me their best.


"I know it is not easy, you don’t play and suddenly you play an important match in Champions League against great team, but you have to do something more."

But gentleman Ranieri was quick to take responsibility for the rout, which many fans won't be too concerned about given their already-confirmed status as group winners.

He added: "The fault is my fault, I put all my players to show what they can do. The result is my fault, it is important to be clear about this. I have no regrets because I wanted to give an opportunity to all my players."

Having made 10 changes for the game, Ranieri will be hoping his logic will be justified ahead of their Premier League game against Manchester City at the King Power on Saturday - and that his rested stars can help halt an alarming run of results that has seen them flirt with the relegation zone for much of the season.

Source: uk.yahoo.com
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