Claudio’s hunger games
Relentless Ranieri: You can beat me but you will not kill me
CLAUDIO RANIERI wants his Leicester side to match his own hunger and desire for more silverware as they launch their season at Wembley today.
The champions of last season take on FA Cup winners Manchester United in the Community Shield this afternoon with Ranieri revealing what drives him on.
“You can beat me – but you can’t kill me,” he said. “I think it is in my DNA.” As if to illustrate the point, today’s curtain-raiser is with Jose Mourinho – the man who replaced him at Chelsea when Roman Abramovich took over at Stamford Bridge.
That setback has not dented Ranieri’s self-belief. “I work with the same intensity and the same confidence and the same attitude as always,” he said. “No less and no more. It is my job to make sure the players have the same hunger.
“I feel something good coming from my players. I watch them during the training session and see that.
“But I want to see them on the pitch. I want to see if they are involved in the project here.”
Ranieri also wants to see a more thoughtful approach from his players against United.
Leicester’s preparations have been affected by the European Championship and he acknowledged that the team will struggle to instantly rediscover the dynamism of their natural game. “Our strength is not just keeping possession,” said the Italian. “To play how we want it is important to be 100 per cent fit.
“But we can’t press for 90 minutes against United. It is impossible at this moment. So, it is now important to be intelligent.”
Ranieri accepts that a period of adaptation is needed whi le Leicester come to terms with life without N’Golo Kante, the midfielder so important to their success last season, who has joined Chelsea for £32million.
“There will be a big difference,” said the Foxes’ boss. “It was like we had an extra player when we had him. If he crossed the ball and then scored with a header, it’s normal! Now we have to do something different without him.”
Ranieri (right) has told his board that he needs a minimum of 22 proven players to cope with the demands Champions League football will bring with its extra workload.
“It is not the physical but the mental strain of playing in the Champions League or Europa League.
“For many of my players, it is the first time and they will face bigger teams, teams that are used to it. It is difficult when you play in the Champions League for the first time.”
I work with the same intensity as ever...my players must do the same