Cifuentes Expecting ‘A Difficult Game’ As City Host Blues

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Cifuentes Expecting ‘A Difficult Game’ As City Host Blues

Martí Cifuentes believes his side is starting to reap the rewards of hard work but admitted there is still a way to go ahead of facing Birmingham City.

2025-08-29T08:50+01:00

by Sam Jones

Published

29 Aug, 2025

Cifuentes Expecting ‘A Difficult Game’ As City Host Blues

Martí Cifuentes believes his side is starting to reap the rewards of hard work but admitted there is still a way to go ahead of facing Birmingham City.

Sam Jones

2025-08-29T08:50+01:00

Cifuentes Expecting ‘A Difficult Game’ As City Host Blues

Martí Cifuentes believes his side is starting to reap the rewards of hard work but admitted there is still a way to go ahead of facing Birmingham City.

Sam Jones

2025-08-29T08:50+01:00

Cifuentes Expecting ‘A Difficult Game’ As City Host Blues

Martí Cifuentes believes his side is starting to reap the rewards of hard work but admitted there is still a way to go ahead of facing Birmingham City.

Sam Jones

2025-08-29T08:50+01:00

Cifuentes Expecting ‘A Difficult Game’ As City Host Blues

Martí Cifuentes believes his side is starting to reap the rewards of hard work but admitted there is still a way to go ahead of facing Birmingham City.

Sam Jones

2025-08-29T08:50+01:00

Fresh from his maiden away win as City Manager, a 1-0 success over Charlton Athletic last weekend, Cifuentes saw enough to be encouraged in south London and is now focused on nailing down further areas of improvement prior to taking on the Blues at King Power Stadium on Friday evening (8pm BST kick-off).

‘A solid foundation’

Abdul Fatawu struck the decisive blow at Charlton last Saturday.

Speaking to the assembled media during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, the 43-year-old discussed the potential significance of recording back-to-back Sky Bet Championship wins for the first time this season, aided by the backing from the Blue Army on Filbert Way.

The support from the stands at The Valley did not go unnoticed either, with plenty of praise for the way the away fans stuck behind the Foxes during testing periods in the match.

“We spoke with the players that it would be an important step forward if we can manage to get those three points,” he told reporters inside our training base in Seagrave. “Especially before the international break, you enjoy them a little bit more.

“The fact that after two [league] games away, to be back at home at King Power Stadium and have the feeling of the fans in an evening game, I’m looking forward to feeling that energy and atmosphere. I think the fans were amazing in the last game away at Charlton, helping us a lot.

“To see a team that is honest, works hard and even in the difficult times, as it is now, they play for the badge, that’s a pretty solid foundation. And we saw that against Charlton. The fans responded really well to that. I felt big support.

“It was not our best game, but the fans were still behind us because they could see a team that was trying their best in a difficult scenario and a difficult game, but we still managed to bring it out and that’s part of the identity that I want to bring back.”

‘An interesting game’

Former Foxes Assistant Manager Chris Davies is at the helm at St. Andrews.

Analysing our Midlands opponents, who are yet to be defeated in the league so far this term, Cifuentes pointed to the momentum built up during their title-winning Sky Bet League 1 campaign of 24/25 as a crucial factor in their impressive opening to the season.

“They are doing really well and I’m not surprised,” he commented on Chris Davies' side. “I talked already about this trend and dynamic of those teams who are recently promoted and how that is usually a positive.

“Birmingham has an ambitious project, but they did really well in League 1. They’ve started the season strong, with a clear identity on the way they want to play, so they are full of confidence.

“How they are reinforcing the team and the profile of players they are signing; I expect a difficult game. It’s an interesting game tomorrow. We need to be at our best because it’s definitely a good start [from them].

“We’re going to make it hard for other teams to come to King Power Stadium. It’s on us to start the game on our terms. When it kicks off, it’s always 11 vs. 11 and it’ll be a lot of passion in the stands from both sides. There is an excitement about the start of the season.

“I totally get the fact that when you get promoted, the feeling is different from when you get relegated, but it’s on us to turn the mood and from what I’ve seen so far, which is what I can judge, people are quite happy.”

‘We need that togetherness’

Hard work is the key, says Cifuentes.

Just over a month on from his appointment, Cifuentes also reflected on his start to life with the Foxes, how he has integrated into the local community and why that can translate to more positivity on the pitch, especially when looking to move on from a disappointing previous campaign.

“All the people working in the Club have been fantastic, helping both me and Xavi [Calm] to understand what the Club means and what it is about,” he explained. “I had the opportunity to meet some fans and everyone has been so supportive and positive.

“Everyone is aware of the challenge we have ahead of us. It will not be easy but I’m excited to be here and represent this Club with such amazing history and hopefully we are going to bring some good times back. It’s our turn to improve the relations and I think to get success, togetherness is key.

“If we want good results this season and to achieve targets, we need that togetherness back and people to feel encouraged with what they see on the pitch. In that sense, I’ve been quite honest. I’m not happy with how we’ve been performing. There is potential to play much better.

“I’m aware that it’s a work in progress and that’s on me to play better and I’m sure we will. I believe in daily work. The full focus for me is to win tomorrow (Friday) and then the next game. That’s the only way it works in football – to win games.

“I’m calm because I see the potential and I believe in the foundation and the players and staff that we have. My job is to get the best out of all of them. We are in a moment where we need to rebuild some things and it can take some time but I 100 per cent believe in this.”

Please note, the South East Ticket Office at King Power Stadium will be closed for Friday’s match against Birmingham. For any ticketing enquiries at King Power Stadium, please contact the Main Ticket Office, located next to the Foxes Fanstore.

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