Leicester host a Champions League match for the first time when they welcome Porto to the King Power Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
The Foxes have already made a fast start to their debut campaign in Europe’s premier club competition. Leicester ran out 3-0 winners away to Club Brugge last time out in Group G.
Marc Albrighton scored, before a Riyad Mahrez brace helped the Premier League champions get off to a winning start. It was a performance typical of the way Leicester shocked the world by winning England’s top flight last season.
The Foxes were compact in midfield and rugged and disciplined defensively. They were also pacy and decisive on the counter, with jet-heeled duo Mahrez and striker Vardy particularly menacing.
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But there there have been some problems since, most notably in the recent 4-1 domestic defeat away to Manchester United at Old Trafford. City are struggling to maintain their two-man central midfield pivot without the energy and tenacity of holding player N’Golo Kante, who signed for Chelsea this summer.
Manager Claudio Ranieri is also finding it difficult to accommodate a new striker, target man Islam Slimani. His partnership with Vardy is showing some teething problems.
Those are issues an experienced European outfit like Porto could exploit. This is a team packed with know-how and skill. The former quality is embodied by tough midfield destroyer Danilo Pereira. Meanwhile, Otavio, Andre Silva and underrated Spanish forward Adrian Lopez offer plenty of craft and threat up top.
Date: Tuesday, September 27
Start Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
Location: Leicester, England
Stadium: King Power
TV Info: N/A
Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2GO
Leicester may not have the savvy to see off a veteran of European football. Yet, if there’s one ace up Ranieri’s sleeve it could be Slimani. The former Sporting Lisbon man would no doubt love to punish his old enemy once more.