Ricardo Prepped For ‘Big’ FA Cup Tie

- Ricardo Pereira previews Leicester City’s upcoming Emirates FA Cup tie
- Blackburn Rovers are the visitors to King Power Stadium on Tuesday
- The Foxes are playing for a place in the quarter-finals of the competition

The Portuguese defender, who recently returned to fitness following a long injury lay-off, is looking forward to the challenge of Leicester City’s latest FA Cup tie, a 7:30pm GMT kick-off against Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday evening. The Foxes claimed the prestigious trophy for the first time in the Club’s history two years ago, with Pereira part of the matchday squad for the final triumph at Wembley.

Having that experience will be beneficial as Brendan Rodgers’ side edge towards reaching the latter stages once more.

“I’m just trying to enjoy it as much as I can,” the full-back told LCFC TV. “Because when you think about this competition, you play at home and, if you win, it’s a quarter-final. You are close to getting to the end stage. It’s exciting to have this game.

“Of course, we did it before. We know how hard it is and we know we have to go game after game and every game counts. Every game is like a final, because if you lose, you are out. It’s good to have that experience to make things easier.”

The next visitors to Filbert Way are enjoying a good run in the Sky Bet Championship, currently fourth, winning their last three league fixtures and remaining unbeaten across the last nine in all competitions, including a replay victory over Birmingham City in the previous round of the FA Cup.

While City were defeated by Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League last time out, the quick turnaround following Saturday’s reverse at King Power Stadium provides an opportunity to return to form.

Pereira added: “For sure, they are used to winning, so we have to be careful. They have good players, they will try and go through this. It will be a big game for them too. But we have to be at our best, not give any chances to them and go after the game.

“Especially when you have two bad results, you want to play again as soon as possible. The game in two days [on Tuesday], it’s good for us to get back to winning ways and get back on track.”