Puel: A Fantastic Challenge
- Claude Puel believes Leicester City must have a considered, but ambitious, stratagem to topple Manchester City
- The Premier League leaders visit King Power Stadium on Saturday in magnificent form (3pm kick-off)
- The Foxes, on the other hand, can extend their unbeaten run to seven matches
- Puel says there is much to be enthused about after his opening three weeks as the Club’s manager
The Premier League leaders have garnered 31 points from a possible 33 in the Premier League, qualified for the Round of 32 in the UEFA Champions League with a 100 per cent record and scored 52 goals in all competitions this season – all before the end of November.
However, a positive mindset, coupled with a determined approach, could be enough for the Foxes to become the first team to inflict defeat upon Pep Guardiola’s men this season, Puel believes.
Training Exclusive: Manchester City
The Foxes have been back on the training pitch this week ahead of their Premier League clash against Manchester City on Saturday.
“We are at home with all the supporters, we can do fantastic things,” the Frenchman said, addressing the national media at King Power Stadium on Friday afternoon.
“We know this team, from watching their European and Premier League games, is the best team in England but any opponent, any team, can make the difference.
“We must stay focused on what we can do on the pitch, show positivity and not just defend against this team. It is an exciting game. It’s a fantastic challenge, an opportunity for us.”
On the manager he will share a technical area with on Saturday, Puel was lavish in his praise of Guardiola, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach who has transformed Man City into daunting opponent for any side in world football.
“He is a great manager, a fantastic manager,” the Foxes boss continued. “His teams keep possession and they counter attack well. It is a different team for us to play against.
“They are the best team in Europe in this moment. It is an exciting game for us. It’s an opportunity for us to play good football, to play a good game and, I hope, a good result.”
Leicester City 4 Manchester City 2
Watch the best of the action from Manchester City's Premier League visit to King Power Stadium in 2016/17.
Puel has been keen to make only considered tweaks to City’s tactical approach, rather than sweeping changes, after coming across a training ground set-up in rude health last month.
The 56-year-old says the future is bright and he admits that he has been thrilled with the focus and the application of his new squad since joining the Club.
“I think it’s important always to improve and to correct some aspects, some details, every time,” he added, reflecting on his first three weeks on Filbert Way.
“It is difficult at this time to work after the international break. The win against Everton and the draw at Stoke are good things to work on considering the spirit in training.
“It was a little bit disappointing at Stoke, because we were leading 1-0 and then 2-1 and it was difficult to accept. But we can see different aspects in our play which was encouraging and promising for our future.”
You can follow live updates from Filbert Way on the Match Centre while free commentary is also available from 2pm on LCFC Radio!