- The City squad are fully focused on the Premier League, according to Ranieri
- The Foxes head to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland on Saturday
Leicester City must continue to play with a fearless attitude when they take on Sunderland on Saturday, according to manager Claudio Ranieri.
After battling to a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough last time out, City now go in search of their first Premier League away victory of the season.
Last time City played at the Stadium of Light, they were en route to securing the Premier League title, and while domestic results have not been as consistent this term, Ranieri says City possess the same spirit.
“Believe me, I have forgotten completely what happened last season,” said the City boss. “This is a new season and we have to react and come back. We know it will be a very, very tough match on Saturday.
“Two points [above the relegation zone] is not satisfying with what we are doing. We have to be strong, play together and fight together.
“The Foxes are fearless. Also last season, when you are talking about looking forward [in the table] I look behind. We will continue to look behind us but we have to improve and make something better than we have done so far.”
That character was on show when City netted a late equaliser against Middlesbrough last weekend and for Ranieri, that was further evidence that his side are beginning to find a rhythm in the Premier League.
He added: “It was a very dramatic final but everybody believed that we could draw the match and at the end we drew the match. This is the spirit that I love.
“Both times we’ve had a very good reaction. Always we have a good reaction when we concede but not often this season we have a reaction as a team. Individually we’ve had a good reaction but it must be together.
“We want to win in Porto but now our focus is 100 per cent the Premier League. The players are very focused on the Premier League.”