A Reward For Our Work, Says Ricardo

- Leicester City defeated Coventry City 2-1 at King Power Stadium on Sunday
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the Foxes’ equaliser and winner
- Ricardo Pereira gave his thoughts on the first game of the season
- The defender was pleased to play his part in an opening day success

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s double sent City home from King Power Stadium with three points in the bag, kicking off the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship campaign in the best possible way.

Kyle MacFadzean’s opener had given the Sky Blues a lead early in the second half, but Leicester rallied to ensure the M69 derby bragging rights remained with the Foxes, over a decade on from their last meeting.

“Three points and a win to start, it's always good to start well,” Ricardo reflected. “It was difficult to start losing the game and we had the mentality to keep going, keep trying. At the end, we were rewarded with the win.

“You know you're going to suffer. Sometimes, we know it's going to be difficult, but we have to keep trying until the final whistle.

“We knew even before we started, it's going to be difficult. They almost went up last year, so we knew it was going to be a big game. Yes, it was really nice to start with a win.”

The Portuguese full-back played a key role in the first competitive game under Enzo Maresca, operating from right full-back and, at times, midfield. The new system is one which the squad are becoming more accustomed to, Ricardo believes, as the Italian Manager implements his philosophy.

“We tried that for pre-season, so it's always difficult,” the 28-year-old admitted. “New ideas can take some time. It's a learning process for everyone, but I think we are on the right way.

“It’s really important to have players to decide [the game and] to help us. To be honest, it doesn't matter who scored, but today it was him (Dewsbury-Hall). Congratulations to him and to the whole team.”