Leicester City: Player ratings post FC Porto Champions League clash

Leicester City played host to famous Portuguese side FC Porto in the second round of UEFA Champions League group stage action on Tuesday.

Defending English Champions Leicester headed into their match against Porto on Tuesday on a run of disappointments.

As if elimination in the English League Cup to Chelsea after having been up by two goals was not enough frustration, the Foxes were torn to pieces by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

So far Leicester has been perfect in their one UEFA Champions League outing and they were looking to do the same against Porto in their first ever home match in the competition.

A goal from former Sporting Lisbon player Islam Slimani opened the night for Leicester and would be the only scoring of the first half in which Porto rarely threatened.

Leicester’s forwards and two banks of four were well organized throughout the whole first half with Danny Drinkwater again gaining high praise for his hard work in keeping the side on point with their defending and intensity.

The visitors attempted to build up a head of steam around the 50th minute but their raised intensity still failed to truly break down the home side as Leicester continued to push for an equalizer on the break.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Kasper Schmeichel of Leicester City celebrates as Islam Slimani of Leicester City scores their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Leicester City FC and FC Porto at The King Power Stadium on September 27, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

However, as the second half ticked on Porto increasingly ratcheted up the intensity and enjoyed the lion share of the ball in the last half hour.

The last fifteen minutes saw the ball almost exclusively in the Leicester half after the introduction of Andy King for Islam Slimani as Claudio Ranieri looked to see out the 1-0 victory and secure another three points to lead Group G.

Demarai Gray and Ahmed Musa both came on in the last few minutes and during stoppage time but did little to make a difference as the Leicester defense was resolute and Schmeichel on his game.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Robert Huth heads clear during the UEFA Champions League Group G match at The King Power Stadium on September 27, 2016. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The only real threat was a deflected ball that hit the right post but outside of that Porto still could not break down the home side and Slamani once again got the better of Porto even with his new side.

Player Ratings

Kasper Schmeichel – Solid performance on the night from the Dane in his return from injury. Kept his head well in the last 20 minutes of Porto pressure. – 7.5

Luis Hernandez – Another solid deputizing performance at left back, was not really troubled down the left flank from the visitors. – 7.0

Wes Morgan – A decent performance from the captain but did not standout. – 7.0

Robert Huth – Slightly more active than Morgan at the back helping to soak up a lot of pressure in the late minutes. – 7.0

Christian Fuchs – Continues to be the best defender in the side this season with another strong preformance. – 7.5

Riyad Mahrez – The Algerian has looked his best this season in the two Champions League matches as he was the assist provider for Slimani goal and worked hard to try and create more chances. – 8.0

Daniel Amartey – Continues to grow into his role in the place of absent Nampalys Mendy. – 7.0

Danny Drinkwater – A consistent organizer and leader in the middle of the park. – 7.5

Marc Albrighton – Not his finest display but not his worst either as he worked hard but had little end product – 6.5

Jamie Vardy – Worked hard but his touch was not there on the night – 6.5

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Islam Slimani celebrates as he scores their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group G match at The King Power Stadium. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Islam Slimani – Scored the winning goal, a late second half yellow saw his intensity drop a bit in the second half. – 7.5

SUBSTITUTES

Andy King – Came on with about 15 minutes to go and did a job in the middle of the park to help keep the growing Porto pressure at bay. – 6.0

Demarai Grey – Late substitute, had little effect on the match – 6.0

Ahmed Musa – Charged around gallantly in the minute and a half he was on the pitch. – 6.0

Leicester’s victory sees them take the lead in Group G on six points as Porto sinks to third on a single point.

The Foxes next match in a fortnight will see them travel to Denmark to face FC Copenhagen with a chance to take a commanding five point lead if they win a third straight Champions League match.