Ranieri takes full responsibility for Leicester's capitulation at Southampton
ByPA Sport
Updated 22/01/2017 at 22:12 GMT
Claudio Ranieri shouldered full responsibility for Leicester's 3-0 Premier League capitulation at Southampton, then admitted the Foxes have dropped into a relegation dogfight.
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri
Image credit: Reuters
Leicester equalled the worst record after 22 games of any top-flight defending champions in England, sitting alongside Ipswich's struggles from the 1962-63 campaign.
Ipswich avoided the drop by finishing 17th that term, but Ranieri has accepted his Leicester side are now fighting for their Premier League future.
James Ward-Prowse, Jay Rodriguez and Dusan Tadic condemned Leicester to their 11th defeat in 22 league matches on the south coast, leaving boss Ranieri to admit he should not have tinkered with his side's tactics.
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Leicester City's English midfielder Danny Drinkwater (R) reacts as Southampton's English midfielder James Ward-Prowse
Image credit: AFP
Asked if Leicester are now in a relegation battle, Ranieri replied: "Yes of course, and it's for this reason that I've wanted 40 points all along from the start of the season.
"Look, our goal, our target is 40 points, from the beginning of the season.
"I said this from the beginning, and I maintain the focus on 40 points, it's important to achieve that as soon as possible."
Leicester's woeful south-coast showing raised real fears the Foxes could become the first top-flight champions to suffer relegation since Manchester City in 1938.
Ranieri moved to ease criticism away from his players however, insisting he had been at fault for shifting their tactics away from the 4-4-2 formation that drove last term's title heroics.
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Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri
Image credit: Reuters
"I tried to help my players in the last two matches, I changed our normal shape against Chelsea, to three at the back and today I played with a diamond, and this led to some misunderstanding," said Ranieri.
"My players are used to playing 4-4-2, or 4-2-3-1, so for this reason I have made mistakes and it's my fault in the last two matches
"It's one thing trying it in training and another entirely on the pitch.
"Today there was something wrong and it's my responsibility. If we make mistakes, yes they make mistakes but also it's myself who has to explain better.
"I recognise they felt better and feel better with a 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1. They recognise the shape, the movement and can help each other.
"Today they ran a lot but without a point of reference.
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Southampton manager Claude Puel shakes hands with Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri after the game
Image credit: Reuters
"I changed it because it wasn't so good and I wanted to help them. But my idea to help them was wrong, it's much better to continue with what they recognise, and then we can be better."
Southampton's cruise-control victory was tempered only by an ankle injury to talisman centre back Virgil van Dijk.
The captain hobbled off in the second-half to become an immediate doubt for Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final second leg at Liverpool.
Now that Jose Fonte has left for West Ham in an £8million deal, England Under-21 international Jack Stephens could start that cup clash at Anfield.
"Virgil took a big kick and we will see if we can recover him for this game," said manager Claude Puel.
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Southampton's Virgil van Dijk receives medical attention as referee Michael Oliver looks on
Image credit: Reuters
"I hope we can have Virgil of course because he is our captain and he's an important player. Of course, it will be better to recover Vigil for this game.
"He could not continue the game. We will see for the next games, I don't know if he can recover.
"For Jack (Stephens) it's been an opportunity to pay and show all his qualities.
"He is an under-21 international player, and other players can give a good solution and play at a good level.
"It is the same for Jack, but he hasn't had the opportunities since the beginning of the season with Jose, Maya (Yoshida) and Virgil - three good players - which is difficult for a young player.
"So this is confidence for the player."
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