Football
PA Sport 8y

Ranieri thrilled to lead Leicester out to UCL music, European nights

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri will tell his players they will realise their dreams once they hear the Champions League music.

The Foxes will face Porto, Club Brugge and FC Copenhagen in Group G after Thursday's draw in Monaco.

They will start their Champions League journey at Club Brugge on Sept. 14 and host Porto on Sept. 27. They travel to Copenhagen on Nov. 2 and finish the campaign in Portugal on Dec. 7.

The music played before every Champions League game was written by British composer Tony Britten in 1992 and Ranieri knows the Foxes will have made it once they line up in Belgium next month.

He said: "Yes, of course I have missed the Champions League. I love the song of the Champions League. It's amazing. All their lives they have been watching on TV, now they will play and it's a little different.

"I have good experience in the Champions League and I can give my knowledge to them. It's important they play how they are used to playing, with freedom and fight.

"Football in the Champions League is different, you have to think a little more. There are so many champions, they keep possession of the ball very well but we will try to do our best with our spirit. It's not possible to change.''

Ranieri took Chelsea to the semifinals in 2004 but they lost 5-3 on aggregate to Monaco. The Italian left Stamford Bridge at the end of the season but he still classes it as his best Champions League memory.

He explained: "My outstanding memory was with Chelsea in the semifinal.

"We had the chance of reaching the final but football is strange and we lost there 3-1 and drew 2-2 at home. That was my best.

"But I want to look forward and of course I will push my players a lot now. Everybody is waiting for the Champions League and I have to slow down, relax, everyone.''

Leicester host Swansea in the Premier League on Saturday with Nampalys Mendy (ankle) out and Jeff Schlupp also a doubt with a muscle injury.

Danny Drinkwater is likely to start after he signed a new five-year deal on Thursday.

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