You Need Belief, Says Ricardo
- Leicester City drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon
- Jordan Ayew cancelled out Leif Davis' strike at Portman Road
- The draw takes City to 10 points in the Premier League
- Ricardo Pereira shared his thoughts on the draw
His second Premier League start of the 2024/25 campaign, the Portuguese full-back played his part in Leicester's draw with the fellow newly-promoted side, and while aiming for three points, stated that a draw was crucial.
"We wanted to win here," Ricardo said at full-time. "It would be very important to get the three points but if you can't get the three points, then it's important that you get a point and keep the same gap to them.
"It was a good goal. We had a chance for Jordan [Ayew] just before that and we knew we were close to getting a goal so it was great when it came, and when we did score there was time left to win it, but when you can't win, you take the draw.
Leicester's Late Show Earns Ipswich Draw
Watch how Leicester City managed to take a point from their trip to Portman Road in the Premier League.
"You need to have that belief to the end in every game. Especially with the extra player you have to take that advantage and we did."
Last season's match-up at Portman Road ended in a similar fashion, with the hosts stealing a late draw in the Sky Bet Championship season, and the 31-year-old understands the feeling that a late scoreline change can have on a side.
Admitting that there were moments when the Tractor Boys were on top, he remained confident that a goal would come, and did so in the form of Ayew, who is excelling in the matter of scoring late goals, having done so against Southampton last time on the road.
"We know them from last season and we had good moments in the game," Pereira continued. "It was a good first 20 minutes and then they had their moments. We did well in terms of managing those moments and calming the game down, but unfortunately they scored first.
"That changed the game a little bit and then with the red card, it changed again leading to the draw.
"I remember what happened here last year and we didn't take three points then so we wanted to today but we took one. It was maybe the feeling they had today that we had last year."
Hoping to push on, the Portuguese defender was pleased with the Foxes' resilience, and hopes that his performance and hard work on the training pitch can warrant more minutes in the top flight.
Ricardo added: "It wasn't easy (not being able to play), because you want to be playing week in and week out. I had to be patient and keep doing my work each day in training. But when the opportunity does come, you have to be ready and that's what I always try to do."