Winning Start Important For Ranieri

- The Foxes face Sunderland in their opening fixture on Saturday 8 August. 

- City boss is anticipating a great atmosphere at King Power Stadium. 

- A 3-2 win at Birmingham City on Saturday completed an unbeaten pre-season for Leicester. 

New Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has underlined the importance of getting a result against Sunderland in Saturday’s Barclays Premier League opener at King Power Stadium. 

Both teams are keen to build on their impressive survivals last season and make a statement on the opening weekend by taking all three points against a side with similar goals for the campaign. 

A full house and an electric atmosphere is a guarantee at King Power Stadium for the match, with City fans eager to see the new manager’s first XI and the possibility of a glimpse of several new signings. 

This summer the Foxes have added Robert Huth, Shinji Okazaki, Christian Fuchs, N’Golo Kanté and Yohan Benalouane to their ranks – all of whom are vying for a starting berth against Sunderland. 

And although the manager admits he’s still plenty of decisions to make ahead of Saturday’s match, he’s looking forward to the challenge of a return to the Premier League. 

Speaking after last weekend’s 3-2 victory over Birmingham City, Ranieri told Foxes Player HD: “I want to think very well. We have seven days to choose the first XI. 

“The anticipation [will be huge]. I’m sure there will be a very warm atmosphere at the stadium and I hope everything will be good. 

“It’s very important for a team like Leicester to open the season with a good start. Not only the first match but the first four, five or six matches are very important to feel good and gain confidence for the Premier League. That is very important for us.”