CLAUDIO RANIERI demanded his players refocus on domestic matters after victory against Copenhagen ensured they kept the only unblemished record in Europe.
A 1-0 win courtesy of a Riyad Mahrez goal in the 41st minute gave Leicester nine points from three games – more points than they have in the Premier League.
But after guaranteeing European football after Christmas, the Foxes manager said he now wants his players to show improvement on the domestic front.
“I am very proud of my players in Europe but very angry with them in the Premier League,” he said.
“And while it is normal that when you play in the big competition you lose something in the league, we want to change that now.
It is psychological. You spend a lot of energy in the Champions League and you come back a little bit more down but we want to change that. The Premier League is our priority now.”
Ranieri said last night’s victory and a win for FC Porto over Bruges left their prospects of making the knockout phase looking good, with he Europa League guaranteed and one more win likely to ensure progress.
“We are in a good position and our destiny is in our hands. The Europa League would be good but now we have to get in to the Champions League,” said the Italian.
“This was a very tough match against a solid, strong team. And we know it will be a tough match again next time.”
Wes Morgan admitted Leicester’s European campaign has been everything the Foxes had hoped for when they qualified and even found time to heap praise on the visiting fans for their part in a special atmosphere.
“It was an unbelievable atmosphere once again,’ he said.
“The crowd really turned out and cheered us on, even the Copenhagen fans were fantastic. It’s nights like this that you live for.
“It was a stern test. They’re very physical and with two banks of four they were difficult to break down.”
Leicester, who remain on course to win Group G, will go to Copenhagen in a fortnight confident of getting the win that should earn a place in the knockout phase after Christmas.
But visiting manager Stale Solbakken warned that they face a stiff examination in the Danish capital.
“We have a good feeling that we can beat them in two weeks’ time,” said the former Wolves boss, who saw his side lose an unbeaten record stretching back 23 games.
“We lost concentration just one time and that cost us.”
But after guaranteeing European football after Christmas, the Foxes manager said he now wants his players to show improvement on the domestic front.
“I am very proud of my players in Europe but very angry with them in the Premier League,” he said.
“And while it is normal that when you play in the big competition you lose something in the league, we want to change that now.
It is psychological. You spend a lot of energy in the Champions League and you come back a little bit more down but we want to change that. The Premier League is our priority now.”
Ranieri said last night’s victory and a win for FC Porto over Bruges left their prospects of making the knockout phase looking good, with he Europa League guaranteed and one more win likely to ensure progress.
“We are in a good position and our destiny is in our hands. The Europa League would be good but now we have to get in to the Champions League,” said the Italian.
“This was a very tough match against a solid, strong team. And we know it will be a tough match again next time.”
Wes Morgan admitted Leicester’s European campaign has been everything the Foxes had hoped for when they qualified and even found time to heap praise on the visiting fans for their part in a special atmosphere.
“It was an unbelievable atmosphere once again,’ he said.
“The crowd really turned out and cheered us on, even the Copenhagen fans were fantastic. It’s nights like this that you live for.
“It was a stern test. They’re very physical and with two banks of four they were difficult to break down.”
Leicester, who remain on course to win Group G, will go to Copenhagen in a fortnight confident of getting the win that should earn a place in the knockout phase after Christmas.
But visiting manager Stale Solbakken warned that they face a stiff examination in the Danish capital.
“We have a good feeling that we can beat them in two weeks’ time,” said the former Wolves boss, who saw his side lose an unbeaten record stretching back 23 games.
“We lost concentration just one time and that cost us.”
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