Shamed …now I need a reaction
the relegation zone. The Foxes have already had seven defeats – in the whole of last season it was just three – and are two points from safety.
And the loss to Porto – the heaviest suffered by an English club in the Champions League – has left Ranieri asking serious questions of his squad.
“For me it was a shame, believe me,” he said. “Our fans are happy when they see the players are fighting. They clapped us at the airport because we are top of the group, but I was very sad because the defeat was a big shame.”
Leicester had already won the group and were into the knockout stages, and Ranieri made wholesale changes to give a chance to some fringe players, but is troubled by what he is seeing.
Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez must have been glad they were left at home and a number of players on bumper new deals missed the trip.
Asked if success has gone to some of his players’ heads, Ranieri replied: “Yes, but the players look at the table and know where we are. That brings them down to earth and now we have to react – everybody.
“The success has gone and we have to react. We have to do a lot more.”
Ranieri is not about to swing the axe on his title-winning stars but he has told them it is time to start playing like champs not chumps.
He said: “Of course my players will always have another chance because I believe in them. We have five more matches before January and after that we will reflect again.
“It’s not important to think about the bottom three but it’s important to concentrate, be strong and stay together.”
The Foxes are in danger of imploding and Leo Ulloa says he might have to walk away.
The former Brighton striker is feeling unloved and admitted missing out while some big new deals were flying around forced his hand. “The club consider they are more important for the team. I want to speak to the boss,” he said.