Ricardo Emphasises Importance Of 90 Minutes

- Leicester City’s players will benefit from completing 90 minutes against Stoke City, says right-back Ricardo Pereira
- A total of 10 City stars played from start to finish at bet365 Stadium on Saturday
- The Foxes won 2-1, with Ricardo setting up Marc Albrighton’s opener

The 25-year-old Portugal international registered another assist for the Foxes, as he set up Marc Albrighton for the opener at bet365 Stadium.

While former Fox Nick Powell’s fortuitous goal levelled matters with 20 minutes to play, Youri Tielemans struck late on to win it for Brendan Rodgers’ outfit.

“It feels very good, another win, another game,” Ricardo told LCFC TV. “We played more time than we’re used to playing and that’s important to get our fitness better and [we’re] improving before the beginning of the Premier League.

“It’s always difficult because we are starting the season against teams that maybe have more time than us in pre-season, so that matters to get in shape and to get used to our team-mates again. It takes time and it’s always important to keep winning, to keep improving. 

“It’s for that that we are training and playing. We want the teamwork to be better and to improve, to work as a team because we know as a team we are strong and as individuals.”

City will contest their final fixture of pre-season on Friday, when Italian side Atalanta, who have qualified for the UEFA Champions League this season, visit King Power Stadium.

“I’m looking forward [to it] and we’re going to be playing at King Power Stadium, so it’ll be even better with our fans,” added Ricardo. “I think it’s going to be a very good test before the start of the season.

“Since last season, we want to continue the momentum that we finished the Premier League with. We are looking forward and we want to do better than last season.”