MX23RW : Thursday, November 14 21:50:29| >> :600:92603:92603:

Claudio Ranieri: 'Europa League is the target'

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri insists that the league leaders are only focused on qualifying for the Europa League.

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has insisted that his side are now aiming to qualify for the Europa League despite them sitting in pole position for a historic Premier League title.

The Foxes sit two points clear at the summit and will go 14 points clear of fifth-placed West Ham United if they defeat relegation-threatened Newcastle United at the King Power tonight.

Although Leicester are firm favourites for the title and almost certain to qualify for next season's Champions League, Ranieri is adamant that he only has one objective in mind at present.

"Now we are fighting to achieve the Europa League. Can you imagine Leicester achieve the Europa League and next season we stay in the Europa League? Unbelievable," Ranieri told Sky Sports News. "That is our goal. When we achieve this, I look how many matches are left. Maybe we can achieve the Champions League - wow, amazing - but the Europa League is the next little step.

"Little targets are the match: Newcastle and after Crystal Palace - that is our step. Now I remember Newcastle and Crystal Palace, and after that we have a break and I forget. When we have a five-point lead with less than one match and when the mathematics say yes [to the title], that is it. Believe me, we have won our title by saving the team.

"My focus is on Newcastle, my study is on Newcastle, my obsession is Newcastle. When we played there, there were so many good players. Sometimes they play well and sometimes they are down. I can't understand but I am sure on Monday night it will be a battle and it is important we understand this."

Legendary ex-Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday tipped Ranieri's side to win the title with three games to spare.

ID:268486: cacheID:268486:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2778:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Claudio Ranieri celebrates at the end of the Premier League game between Watford and Leicester City on March 5, 2016
Read Next:
Schlupp: 'Ranieri keeping Leicester grounded'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!