Porto 5, Leicester City 0: Much-changed Foxes suffer heaviest defeat of Claudio Ranieri’s reign
Porto 5, Leicester City 0
Leicester suffered the heaviest defeat of manager Claudio Ranieri’s tenure on Wednesday night as a second-string side shipped five goals in their final Champions League group game at Porto.
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.
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Two goals from striker Andre Silva and further strikes from Jesus Corona, Yacine Brahimi and Diogo Jota sank the Foxes as Porto emphatically ensured their own qualification for the next stage.
A heavy defeat has no material effect on Leicester’s season, but a fourth loss from their last six games may be considered further cause for concern at the King Power Stadium.
Ranieri’s men have now lost by three goals or more on four occasions already this term, as the sheen from their title triumph in his debut season fades and they face up to a fight to stay in the top flight.
Three goals before half-time
Silva headed a simple opener on six minutes, Corona volleyed the goal of the night mid-way through the first half and Brahimi flicked in a cross at the near post to make it three before the interval.
Danny Drinkwater’s tug on Silva allowed the Porto striker to score his second from the penalty spot and Jota fired through goalkeeper Ben Hamer’s legs to round off the rout.