The Foxes entertain Pep Guardiola’s men at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Leicester City midfielder Marc Albrighton has called on his side to react ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes man told the club’s official TV channel his team need to put in a performance and urged his side to ‘get in the faces’ of the visitors.
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri
Having fallen to defeat at the Stadium of Light last weekend, Claudio Ranieri’s men are scratching around for form domestically, now winless in the league since October, taking just two points from their last five league outings.
A far cry from last term’s historic exploits, the Premier League holders sit precariously in 16th spot, just two points off the bottom three.
Albrighton is equally aware of the club’s predicament and issued a rallying cry to show fight, hunger, but above all to make a statement they were no pushovers, against The Citizens.
He told LCFC TV: “I think the result against Man City is obviously the main thing. We’re in a position now where we need points and the result is massive.
“We need to show a reaction with a good performance by fighting all over the pitch. We need to get that hunger back and make a statement to people to show that we care. We need to put it right.”
Leicester City’s Wes Morgan celebrates with Marc Albrighton after the game
“We need to get in their faces and be organised. We need to be harder to beat and harder to break down because it’s too easy at the moment.”
“We’re letting teams get through us, but last year that wasn’t happening. We were tough to beat and break down and we need to get back to that.”
With Leicester now having concluded their UEFA Champions League campaign – at least until February – the hope remains that Ranieri’s men can re-focus their energies on climbing the league table, ahead of the crucial festive period.
With both talismen Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez struggling to repeat last season’s impressive displays, a run of games in quick succession might change the picture for the Foxes.
Unfortunately for Leicester their schedule between now and January 2nd is no easy feat. Even after Manchester City this weekend, trips to Bournemouth, Stoke City and Middlesbrough await, with also what could be a potential six-pointer versus West Ham on New Years Day.
Albrighton, who was a regular fixture in Claudio Ranieri’s starting XI last term has become more of a rotational player this campaign, having played 90 minutes just twice this season – yet to score or assist.
Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho scores their second goal
The 27 year-old knows that despite Saturday’s visitors being without the suspended Kun Agüero and Fernandinho, Manchester City have still an army of talent waiting to test them.
“They’re obviously fantastic going forward and we can get them as well at the back, said Albrighton. “It’s going to be an attacking match with their flare up top.”
“They’ve obviously got some fantastic players that they’ve brought in and spent a lot of money on. They’re world-class players, so we’ve got to be at the top of our game to be able to stop them. Anything less than that, we’ll come unstuck.”
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