The dream of English Premier League Champions playing in UEFA champions round of sixteen remains valid after they grabbed the third win in the elimination group stage.
Riyad Mahrez steered in Islam Slimani’s knockdown from close range five minutes before half-time time as the Premier League champions left their domestic struggles behind to remain firmly on course to top Group G.
“The most important thing was to be solid because Copenhagen is difficult to play against – all the players are strong and physical,” Mahrez said. “But we did it.”
Foxes became only the fifth competition debutants in Champions League history, after AC Milan, Paris St-Germain, Juventus, and Malaga, to win their opening three games.
“When you play in the Champions League your mind is more concentrated, you are very, very focused on the match,” Ranieri said.
“Of course you lose something when you play in the (Premier) League. But I hope soon we can change this mood … our goal is now to change our concentration in the Premier League.”
Leicester’s domestic struggles have been epitomised by the goal drought being endured by Jamie Vardy, who was the team’s top scorer last season during the astonishing run to a first Premier League title.
Although Vardy failed to score for an eighth successive game against Copenhagen, the striker was the architect of the only goal against the Danish visitors at the King Power Stadium.