Claudio Ranieri: Defeat Could Be Leicester's Turning Point

Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy, center, at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Sevilla, February 22. Vardy scored a vital away goal for Leicester against Sevilla. JORGE GUERRERO/AFP/Getty

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri believes his team's 2-1 defeat to Sevilla on Wednesday night could spark a pivotal change in form this season.

The trip to the south of Spain acted as welcome relief for the Premier League champions, having lost its last five league games and dropped to 17th in the table.

But Jamie Vardy's late strike at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, a vital away goal to keep Leicester in the tie, could help improve the Foxes domestically.

"It could be a turning point," Ranieri said Wednesday, as quoted by The Times. "We don't give up. We know they are better than us. We have a very big heart.

"We fight every time, this night a little more. And when you give everything, I think also the luck comes to you."

Pablo Sarabia and Joaquin Correa's first-half goals looked to give Sevilla, third in the Spanish La Liga, a comfortable lead but Vardy's late strike will give Leicester hope.

The goal was Vardy's first since December 10, ending a drought for last season's prolific striker.

Leicester will now host Sevilla at the King Power Stadium on March 14, knowing a 1-0 win would put it into the Champions League quarterfinals.

But, first, Liverpool is the visitor to Leicester on Monday as Ranieri's side looks to climb the Premier League table.

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