UCL: Ranieri predicts Leicester City's downfall against Roma
Ranieri has also picked out four players that will be crucial to Roma's fortunes in the tie
Leicester City's poor away form has been predicted to be their downfall against Roma in the Europa Conference League second leg by former Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri.
It's all square as City head to Rome this midweek following a 1-1 draw with Jose Mourinho's side at the King Power Stadium last week with no away goals in the competition.
Brendan Rodgers and company are just a positive result at the Stadio Olimpico away from the final in Albania's capital, Tirana.
The only thing stopping success in this inaugural competition is two matches away from the East Midlands, which has been highlighted as their Achilles' heel by Ranieri.
One consolation is that the woeful form on the road has been somewhat contained to the Premier League, having won in Eindhoven in the quarter-finals after a similar stalemate in the first leg.
"I believe Leicester City are not as effective in away games," Ranieri told La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia). "If their season hasn’t been up to the task, it’s because of their results away from home.
“However, Brendan Rodgers has brought organisation to Leicester, they always attack the space to make the most of Jamie Vardy’s characteristics. Beware of James Maddison, a quality player,” he added.
“Roma looked in control of the match in the first leg. Sometimes they had to sit back, but their counter-attacks were always efficient, and they could have won.”
Ranieri has also picked out four players that will be crucial to Roma's fortunes in the tie. “Mourinho’s mentality [will make the difference] and I hope Tammy Abraham and Nicolò Zaniolo too,” Ranieri added.
“Too bad for Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s injury, which means Lorenzo Pellegrini will have a double task in midfield, while Chris Smalling will be crucial to stopping the Foxes.”
