Ricardo Looking To Build Early Momentum In 2021/22
- Leicester City host Wolves on day one in the 2021/22 Premier League on Saturday
- The Foxes host Bruno Lage's Black Country outfit in a 3pm BST kick-off at King Power Stadium
- Portugal full-back Ricardo Pereira is excited to be back in front of a full Filbert Way crowd
- City's No.21 also emphasised the importance of building a winning mentality early in the season
The Foxes welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to King Power Stadium on Saturday hoping to build on last weekend's FA Community Shield success with a winning start to the Club's eighth successive season in the Premier League.
Ricardo, returning to full fitness after injury, is in contention to feature for Leicester against Bruno Lage's visitors on day one of the new campaign and is excited by the prospect of starring in front of a capacity crowd for the first time since March 2020.
"We're feeling really good," he told LCFC TV this week. "I’m excited for this season beginning. We want it to be as good as last season or, if possible, even better than that so it’s important to start well. It’s a game at home, with the fans back at King Power Stadium again, so we’re looking forward to it.
Ricardo Excited For 'Special' Occasion Against Wolves
Ricardo Pereira speaks of his excitement to play in front of a full King Power Stadium when the Foxes tackle Wolves in the Premier League.
"Saturday was special because it was the first official game, but now it’s the first Premier League game, so that’s always special as well. We’re in our own stadium, so it’s exciting to play again at King Power Stadium in the Premier League.
"Of course, it’s important to start well, with a win. It means everyone is happy – the fans, us, the staff – but we know what we did on Saturday won’t count this Saturday. We have to clear our head. It’s a new competition, the game will start 0-0.
"The win on Saturday was a good thing. To have the fans, to lift the trophy, my second one here, it was really special. But now we have to go again and hopefully win the game. If we can get three points at the end of the game, it will be perfect.
"I had the chance to experience (fans on Filbert Way) in my first two years. Some players didn’t so now it’ll be good for them and for us for the games to be back again, especially after so long without them. It will feel special to have a full stadium."
Ricardo isn't expecting Wolves to take too long adapting to Lage's methods - after the former Benfica manager replaced Nuno Espírito Santo at Molineux this summer - but is eager for City to focus on their own performance this weekend.
"It won’t change a lot," the former Porto defender added. "I know a little more about them because of the Portuguese connection. A little bit like Nuno before, they will like to have the ball, to play attractive football. It won’t change a lot because the players didn’t change.
"Of course, they will try to show the new coach at the start of the season that they want to do better than last season. For sure, they will want to start strong against us, but we have to do our job and impose our game.
"To win the Community Shield was important. It will give us a boost for this game. If we win this game, it’ll give us another boost for the second game, so it’s important to work on winning. We want to keep that going as long as possible."