Leicester manager, Claudio Ranieri has warned the big European teams of the Champions League to beware of his underdogs because ‘they bite’.
According to The Sun UK, Leicester’s lofty status as England’s new champions means the club will be in Pot One along with Euro giants Bayern Munich, Juventus, PSG and the champions of Spain when the draw is made for next season’s competition.
Ranieri, unsurprisingly, admitted that most of the sides who will be part of Europe’s elite will be hoping to be grouped with the Foxes when the draw is made in Monaco in August.
But the 64-year-old Italian, who took Chelsea to the semi-finals of the competition in 2004, is confident his side can inflict the same shock punishment on Europe’s giants that they have on the moneybag outfits of the Premier League in this remarkable campaign.
Ranieri said: “I believe a lot of teams will want to play against us because we are in Europe for the first time.
“They think we are underdogs.
“We ARE underdogs but we are dangerous – and underdogs can be dangerous teams!”
He added: “I am confident because this team three years ago won the Championship and the Championship is very tough.
“I hope we can find good players and make some replacements because next season there will be three cups and the Premier League and it will be important to be able to make good changes and give some rest to the players.”
Ranieri admits he expects some dark days next season after a virtually flawless campaign this time out.
Leicester are certain to end the season with more wins and fewer defeats than any other side, having set a host of club records in the nine months that have stunned the football world.
The likes of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kante and Kasper Schmeichel have made themselves into superstars while the avuncular Italian has become the most popular manager in the Prem.
And it means Ranieri believes he now has the perfect comfort blanket to help him through troubled times should his Foxes falter.
Ranieri said: “I will keep my Premier League winners’ medal in my home and when there is a bad moment I will take it out, look at it and say, ‘hey, come on man, balance!”
