Caudio Ranieri’s poor Premier League title defence seems to have finally spread to Europe after a chastening evening in the Dragons’ lair.
This was exposed yesterday by FC Porto in 5-0 defeat as Leicester City’s Uefa Champions League unbeaten run was brought to an end in a painful way.
After five uplifting group games this was the stark reality check as Ranieri’s fringe players produced Leicester’s most dishevelled performance of the season so far.
It may have been a dead rubber, with a place in next year’s knockout stages already secured, but Ranieri’s gamble to leave so many of his stars on their sofas backfired spectacularly.
Leicester suffered the heaviest defeat of any English club in the Champions League and did not manage a shot on target all night.
Porto were irresistible, claiming their own place in the round of 16 and routing a team which had only conceded one goal before their visit to the Estádio do Dragão.
Ranieri address the presser
“I’m very sad because ok, we can lose, but not in this way. The result is my fault, it’s important to be clear.
“We wanted to see something different but it was too easy for them. I have a clearer idea about my players now. We need to focus on the Premier League and change our position.
“I gave them the chance to show me but they lost a great chance.”
With Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Robert Huth all left at home there were a whopping ten changes made to the team beaten by Sunderland last weekend.