Claudio Ranieri likens himself to the POPE after Leicester's draw against Middlesbrough
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Claudio Ranieri likened himself to the Pope after this 90-minute non-event - and it looks like he could do with some divine intervention to save Leicester’s season.
The Premier League Champions’ troubles on the road show no sign of easing after a 12th domestic road trip without a win - a dire record stretching all the way back to April.
They were thankful to scramble a point against a Middlesbrough side who exerted more control as the contest wore on, but who were unable to turn their pressure into goals to result in a dour New Year’s non event.
Ranieri tried to look for the positives - but they were few and far between as not for the first time this season the shot-shy Foxes lacked a cutting edge as they missed the suspended Jamie Vardy - who served the last of a three-game suspension.
“It was a good performance and a second clean sheet in a row,” Ranieri insisted after his side claimed only a third point from a possible 30 on their travels this season.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Robert Huth was immense at the back, and Leicester’s Italian head coach added: “We were so solid and I’m very pleased about that. I want to score a goal of course but this season we’ve conceded so many that we needed to improve and it’s good that we’ve gone back to being solid and strong.”
A single goal was always going to settle this forgettable snorefest between two sides who both remain too close for comfort to the drop zone. Gaston Ramirez should have won it with eight minutes left, but the Uruguayan pulled a close range shot badly wide after pouncing on a rare mistake from Leicester skipper Wes Morgan as for a second time in five weeks the sides were unable to be separated.
(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)
(Photo: Getty Images)
George Friend came close after the break when the Middlesbrough substitute capped a fine display to cut in from the left and fire narrowly over.
The fast-raiding full-back then provided a perfect cross which Adam Forshaw should have headed home, but the midfielder mistimed his run from outside the box and the chance was gone.
Head coach Aitor Karanka said: “That’s both games this season where we’ve been the better side than the reigning Premier League champions.”
(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)
Leicester’s chances were few and far between. Fabio denied the out-of-sorts Riyad Mahrez with a fine first-half tackle, and Leonardo Ulloa should have done better with a late header aimed straight at keeper Brad Guzan.
The Teessiders made most of the running and it might have been a different story had Huth been penalised when he tangled with Adama Traore on the edge of the area early on. Karanka claimed the German defender had admitted it should have been a spot kick.
Christian Fuchs admitted marking Traore was like trying to keep up Usain Bolt, but the Spanish winger’s delivery throughout was woeful. Asked about the penalty claims, Ranieri said: “Did you watch it? Come on man. If that is a penalty, I am the pope.”