Cifuentes: The Framework’s Getting Clearer

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Cifuentes: The Framework’s Getting Clearer

Martí Cifuentes has been enthused by the progress being made by his Leicester City players as we prepare to take on his former side, Queens Park Rangers.

2025-12-20T07:30+00:00

by Sam Stevens

Published

20 Dec, 2025

Cifuentes: The Framework’s Getting Clearer

Martí Cifuentes has been enthused by the progress being made by his Leicester City players as we prepare to take on his former side, Queens Park Rangers.

Sam Stevens

2025-12-20T07:30+00:00

Cifuentes: The Framework’s Getting Clearer

Martí Cifuentes has been enthused by the progress being made by his Leicester City players as we prepare to take on his former side, Queens Park Rangers.

Sam Stevens

2025-12-20T07:30+00:00

Cifuentes: The Framework’s Getting Clearer

Martí Cifuentes has been enthused by the progress being made by his Leicester City players as we prepare to take on his former side, Queens Park Rangers.

Sam Stevens

2025-12-20T07:30+00:00

Cifuentes: The Framework’s Getting Clearer

Martí Cifuentes has been enthused by the progress being made by his Leicester City players as we prepare to take on his former side, Queens Park Rangers.

Sam Stevens

2025-12-20T07:30+00:00

We’re due at Loftus Road for a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday in our last match before Christmas, on a run of collecting seven points from a possible nine over a busy week.

It’s been an uptick in form which has pleased the Manager but naturally he wanted more. However, speaking to the media on Thursday, Cifuentes was eager to praise the squad for their collectiveness and work-rate over recent matches.

‘A fantastic reaction’

Going into a three-game week on the back of successive defeats, the Foxes overcame East Midlands rivals Derby County at Pride Park before losing a two-goal lead at Bristol City to draw 2-2, later overcoming an in-form Ipswich Town outfit back on Filbert Way.

Asked about our points return, Cifuentes said: “First of all, seven from nine is a good average, but I would be happier with nine from nine because I think we had the chance to do it.

“Credit to the players. We’re here to try to help them, to establish the framework for them. The framework is getting more and more clear.

“Obviously, when you analyse certain situations, in terms of injuries over the last month, it was not easy, but when we have managed to get some continuity, the framework has been clear on what are our expectations and how we want to play.

“I think the team has been taking some steps forward. The reaction, especially after the disappointment in the previous week, it was fantastic.”

‘Be proud & privileged to represent this Club’

Cifuentes has been particularly pleased with the ethos of the team over recent weeks, showing on several occasions their willingness to fight for the cause.

“After a good week, it’s easier to say, but I’ve been talking all the time about the culture,” he added. “About being proud of wearing this shirt, to represent this badge. I think that’s the basic thing, right?

“We want people not only feeling good to be here, but also proud and feeling privileged to represent this Club. I think that’s been the case, especially in the last games.

“You have seen a team that is working really hard. Against Ipswich, for example, we played at a really good level for 70 minutes and then we conceded a goal; especially after what happened against Bristol City, mentally it required some strength, some character.

“You could see how all the players were working really hard for each other. That’s actually the foundation. It’s not the only thing, but it’s the foundation of what we’re asking them to do.”

‘It’s going to be special’

The Manager is back on familiar ground this weekend, returning to Loftus Road, where he oversaw the Hoops for two years. He’s been pleased to see, from afar, the steps forward which the capital club has been making under Julien Stéphan’s guidance. Nevertheless, he wants to return to Leicester with three points on Saturday evening.

“Obviously, it’s one of those games that, at the beginning of the season, I looked at the calendar,” he admitted. “It’s always nice to be back in the places where you have been happy. I was very happy for two seasons at QPR. It’s going to be special.

“I’m happy to see they’re doing well – for the fans. They treated me excellently during all my two years there. I just want to have a good performance, get the three points, and after that I wish them all the best.

“I’m a former manager, so they’re probably eager to beat us, and that’s football. We just need to be aware that they’re a team that is doing well. Julien Stéphan is doing a good job. They’re picking up results, they’re strong at home, and a team that is not easy to play against.

“They put a lot of bodies up front, they have good runners. I know how games at Loftus Road can be, in terms of atmosphere. Because the pitch is small, it can create a lot of tempo, a lot of momentum, and we need to be ready to be ourselves, to impose our style. We’re ready for a tough game.”

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