Three things we learnt from Leicester’s 1-0 victory over FC Porto

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Leicester set the early pace but must stick to what they know

Leicester’s title defence has seen a somewhat shaky start, with three defeats in their opening six matches of their league campaign (their total of defeats for the entirety of last season in the league), and shipping four goals twice against Liverpool and Manchester United.

A noticeable contrast to last season’s template for success has been Ranieri’s insistence on encouraging Leicester to play a more attacking game, where they have simply been picked off against stronger opponents. The Foxes shipped three goals just from corners at Old Trafford on Saturday, defending set-pieces and scoring from them having been one of their greatest assets in last season’s surprise title triumph.

Yet the model which earned them all the plaudits last season made a return on Tuesday: a deep-lying and solid rearguard and quick counterattacking on the break, and at the King Power it was executed to perfection.

Wes Morgan and Robert Huth looked far more like their usual selves again after their hapless display at the weekend, whilst summer signing Luis Hernandez was impressive having been preferred to Danny Simpson in the right-back position.

Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy were excellent in running the channels and getting up the pitch in Leicester’s quick breaks, and goalscorer Slimani didn’t have a moment’s rest, relentlessly helping press the Porto midfield and defence when the Foxes conceded possession.

53.1% of overall possession was in the centre of the park, with a further 24% in the Leicester half compared to just 22.9% of the ball in Porto’s side of the field, with the Portuguese dominating overall possession of the ball with 59.5%. The Premier League champions though, much like last season, were happy to let the visitors have more of the ball, and to take their own chances when they came. They did so, and like many other teams last season another giant has fallen victim to the cunning Foxes.