Porto crush Leicester to ease into last 16 – Eurosport.com AU

But that wasn’t really the story – resting with the league in mind was unsurprising.

“It’s hard to say because maybe if we had to win tomorrow, maybe all my players they would be here”, Ranieri said at his press conference. Kasper Schmeichel is still recovering from a hand injury, but Nampalys Mendy could be in line for a return.

Two more Porto goals would follow in the second-half, with Silva netting a penalty and Diogo Jota scoring late on.

The last time Leicester lost by five goals or more away from home was against Portsmouth in the Championship in 2010 but, even putting their Champions League qualification into context, it was a humiliation.

There can be the argument of Vardy and Co playing their way back into form but the champions’ immediate Premier League future is paramount and they need to be ready for their domestic challenge.

City again switch their attentions tonight and face Porto at the Estadio Do Dragao in their final Group G game having already won the group and qualified for the last 16. That it took Iker Casillas a full 31 minutes, at which point he was obliged to play a goal kick 20 yards to his right, to touch the ball, spoke amply of Leicester’s application. Maybe they are paying for what happened last season.

“I had several enquiries in January, but didn’t leave as the manager said he was counting on me”, Inler huffed in March.

“I’m in a critical situation”. He needs to forget about pleasing egos, trying different formations or resting players and just give minutes to his top players. “My experience says it’s important to stay calm and be positive, believe in your players and do the best for your team”.

“If I needed to win or draw, I would bring all my first team to fight”, he added.

FC Copenhagen are expected to beat Club Brugge quite comfortably, so Porto have to win if they want to progress to the knockout stages.

The only previous meeting between these two teams came in September, when Islam Slimani’s first half header separated the sides at the King Power Stadium.

The Premier League title-holders paid a heavy price for making 10 changes to their starting line-up, having already ensured their place in Monday’s last-16 draw as group winners.

Santo’s side continued to dominate, and deservedly extended their lead further on the stroke of half-time as Brahimi – making just his third start across all competitions this term – flicked home from close range at the culmination of a sublime move.