Ricardo’s Excitement For Maiden Boxing Day Match
- Ricardo Pereira could get a first taste of Boxing Day football when Leicester City host Manchester City in the Premier League (3pm GMT kick-off)
- Ricardo believes it will be a special fixture to be involved in
- The Foxes defeated Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday thanks to Jamie Vardy's fine finish
- Listen to live coverage of the game on LCFC Radio from 1pm GMT
That could change on Wednesday, when the Foxes entertain Pep Guardiola’s star-studded Manchester City side for the second time in nine days following their encounter in the Carabao Cup.
The prospect of festive football excites Ricardo, who in his maiden season as a Fox has made 17 appearances in all competitions since joining from Primeira Liga champions FC Porto in the summer.
“I’m excited,” the Portugal international said ahead of the clash. “It’ll be the first time for me to play in this part of the year. I think it will be interesting and I look forward to that.
“Normally, in Portugal and France, we played the 22nd or 23rd, then the 28th or 29th. Boxing Day, never. Normally I would be at home watching the game, not playing, but I think it will be good.
Leicester City 1 Manchester City 1 (1-3 On Penalties)
Watch extended highlights from Leicester City's Carabao Cup defeat by Manchester City on Tuesday.
“I think the normal games against Man City, they already have something special. I think playing at home on Boxing Day will be even better. For me, even better, a win would be perfect.”
City are well aware of how gifted their Boxing Day opponents are, with Pep Guardiola’s men challenging Liverpool for the Premier League title this season.
“I think they are really good, because they have that way they play, I think it’s specific here and around the world,” continued Ricardo. “I think we have to be at our best to get a good result and we’ll do our best to do that.
“It’s not the first time to know how they play. I think it could be important to have a little bit more experience about the team and how to play against them, the difficulties they put us under and to do better in the next game.”
Ricardo may come up against a number of familiar faces on Wednesday, having played with several of Man City’s stars at club and international level.
“Bernardo [Silva] is the one I know better,” added the right-back. “Then [Nicolas] Otamendi, Danilo and [Eliaquim] Mangala.
“I played with them at Porto. It’s going to be good to see old friends, but we’re not going to be friends on the field.”