Claudio Ranieri says Leicester's fightback at Sevilla showed spirit

By James Walker-Roberts

Image: Claudio Ranieri saw his side lose 2-1 to Sevilla

Claudio Ranieri thinks Leicester will grow in strength after battling back against Sevilla in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash on Wednesday.

The Foxes looked to be heading for a heavy defeat after falling 2-0 behind at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.

But they were boosted by a 73rd-minute goal from Jamie Vardy that gives them hope of progressing to the quarter-finals.

Image: Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring for Leicester

"We didn't give up and scored the goal which is important," said Leicester boss Ranieri. "It gives us strength, it gets Vardy back among the goals and it opens up the tie.

"We know they are better than us. They are a big team, an experienced team, but we have a very big heart.

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"I think we are underdogs because they are very high quality, but we will play and suffer in the second leg. We will do our best. If we lose it's because they put in a fantastic performance."

Leicester struggled in the first half in Seville and were fortunate to just be 1-0 down at the break as Kasper Schemichel saved a penalty and made several other saves.

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Image: Kasper Schmeichel saved a penalty from Joaquin Correa of Sevilla

"The first half was very tough," said Ranieri. "We were a little scared, nobody wanted to receive or show for the ball, and Kasper kept the team alive. He saved a penalty, saved some good shots, and slowly we got better.

"The second half was much better and we believed we could do something good. When we played our football in our good moment they scored a second, but we didn't give up and then we got back and scored an important goal."

The return leg takes place at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday, March 14.

Before then, the Foxes host Liverpool on Monday Night Football, looking for their first Premier League win of 2017.

"We have to continue in this way," said Ranieri. "Now we know our focus is on Liverpool because it could be a turning point. But it is important to play another good match."

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