Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri believes Kasper Schmeichel kept the team alive, despite their defeat against Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Spanish side ran out 2-1 winners after the Foxes went 2-0 down through goals from Pablo Sarabia and Joaquin Correa but Jamie Vardy’s strike 15 minutes from time gave Leicester City an all-important away goal.
The Italian manager insists that his side improved on their performance in recent weeks and reserved special praise for Danish goalkeeper Schmeichel after saving a penalty.
‘It’s a defeat but look, the first half was very tough,’ Ranieri told the Leicester City website.
‘Kasper [Schmeichel] kept the team alive. Slowly, slowly we got better. In the second half, it was much better and we believed we could do something.’
Ranieri believes his side showed real fighting spirit to score a goal after going two goals down but he insists that his side deserved an equalising goal after coming out a stronger side in the second half.
‘When we played our football in our good moment, they scored the second goal, but we didn’t give up. Then we go back and score a goal which was important. It gave us strength and reopens the match for the second leg,’ He added.
‘They are a high-quality team with high experience but we have a big heart. We fought and we helped each other. I think we deserved this goal.’
The 65-year-old manager believes his side’s performance could be a turning point for the form this season ahead of the Premier League clash against Liverpool on Monday.
‘It was amazing. We made a very good action on the left, crossed and he scored. Goal scorers need goals and this goal reopened all our confidence,’ Ranieri said.
‘Of course, when we play with this character, luck can be on your side. We have to keep going like this. It could be a turning point but it’s important to make another good match against Liverpool.’
Leicester City will now welcome Liverpool to the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Monday.
Kick-off has been set for 22:00.
