Match Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Leicester City

The Foxes beat Celtic on penalties in their previous fixture to pick up two points in the tournament, but will be looking for a win in normal time on Saturday as well as the chance to gain some experience against some top-level opposition. 

Jamie Vardy returned to training with the squad this week but manager Claudio Ranieri revealed that he won’t feature, although he has an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from for the game. 

All four new signings have also travelled – Ron-Robert Zieler, Papy Mendy, Luis Hernandez and Ahmed Musa – all of whom could feature at some stage in the match.

Having stormed to the French Ligue 1 title by an astonishing 31 points, Paris Saint-Germain represent the kind of opposition that the Foxes could come up against when they enter this season’s Champions League. 

Although top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic has joined Manchester United, the French champions boast an array of talent that can match any squad in the world, including Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria. 

PSG are 100 per cent so far this pre-season, having beaten West Brom 2-1 as well as Inter Milan and Real Madrid 3-1 – the latter two fixtures in the International Champions Cup competition. 

Jonathan Ikone and substitute Thomas Meunier (2) were on the scoresheet last time out against Real Madrid, but there are threats all over the pitch for the Foxes to worry about on Saturday, which should provide just the kind of test that the manager is looking for. 

Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri said ahead of the game: “It’s important for us now to play against these big teams. I said the same against Celtic. 

“For everybody at Leicester it is a good experience. These kinds of matches are friendly matches but not friendly matches. 

“It’s not the Champions League, but it’s very important to gain experience and also see at what point we are with fitness. 

“We are working so hard here in Los Angeles. It’s very hot and we aren’t used to seeing the sun in Leicester! I think here it didn’t rain since January.” 

PSG manager Unai Emery said after the win over Real Madrid: “We are very happy about the results, even if that’s not the most important thing, but it’s very good for team confidence. 

“I’m happy from a tactical point of view, because the players followed my instructions.

“They’re following on from what we’re practicing in training and that’s a good thing. 

“Those who have played in matches so far have done a good job.” 

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN VS. LEICESTER CITY – Saturday 30 July (8.30pm PST, 4.30am BST on 31 July), StubHub Center. 

Alongside in-depth video updates from LCFC TV of the Leicester City squad out in Los Angeles throughout the week, LCFC Radio welcomes commentator Geoff Peters and an expert summariser on air for the clash with the French champions. 

Foxes fans can tune in for FREE half an hour before kick-off. .