Ranieri: This Is Our Key Moment

- City welcome Pep Guardiola’s side to King Power Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off) 

- Ranieri expects the Christmas period to be a ‘key moment’ in the Club’s season

- The Foxes then travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth three days later 

Claudio Ranieri says Leicester City are entering a key stage of their season ahead of the Premier League encounter with Manchester City at King Power Stadium on Saturday evening (5.30pm kick-off). 

The Foxes entertain Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing outfit ahead of a busy schedule which includes the trip to Bournemouth on Tuesday night before then making the short journey to the bet365 Stadium to face Stoke City next weekend. 

After the 2-1 setback at Sunderland last Saturday, City know they will need to pick up points over the Christmas period and Ranieri insists his players are under no illusions concerning the task at hand over the coming weeks. 

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Ranieri said: “Now, it’s important to reflect about everything. The next match is more important now. We have a range of matches where it is important to take points.   

“I was waiting for a period like this. Now it’s important to react with a big effort together from the team. That is my focus now.   

“We have to be focused on these matches until Christmas Day. We have to get points. We need points and we have to fight. This part of the season is our key moment.   

“I think every match gives us an opportunity. We have to fight. I repeat, we have to fight.”   

Ranieri has pointed to the Foxes faithful as one of the tools at his disposal as City prepare to welcome Guardiola and his troupe of title hopefuls to the East Midlands this weekend. 

He added: “Our supporters are fantastic. We need their warmth and support now because now we need more and more. 

“Now, we are in difficulties. With our supporters, we can do something better. We have to react to come back.   

“We must make our fans happy. Our fans are happy when they see the players are fighting.” 

Looking ahead to the clash against Manchester City, the Leicester boss continued: “There are so many champions. There is (Sergio) Agüero, there is (Kevin) De Bruyne, there is (David) Silva, there is (Kelechi) Iheanacho. 

“There are so many. It’s a big team with fantastic players, but I want to see them against us when we are strong.”