Roma vs Leicester: Claudio Ranieri to attend Europa Conference League semi-final between ex-clubs

Claudio Ranieri will be in the stands as Leicester attempt to reach their first European Final but the Italian will be cheering for their opponents.

The 70-year-old was in charge when Leicester wrote one of the greatest stories in sport by winning the 2016 Premier League title.

Yet as a fan and former manager of Roma, as well as a native of Rome, Ranieri is backing Jose Mourinho’s side to knock out the Foxes at the Stadio Olimpico and make it to the inaugural Europa Conference League Final. Last week’s first leg at the King Power Stadium ended 1-1.

‘The relationship with Leicester was professional, but being a fan reminds me of how I felt when I was young,’ Ranieri told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. ‘I can’t betray that feeling. English fans are affectionate towards me, but Rome is my home.’

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is waiting on the fitness of midfield pair Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and James Maddison before naming his travelling squad for Rome.

Both were left out last Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Tottenham, Dewsbury-Hall with a calf problem and Maddison due to a hip complaint. Maddison has struggled with his hip before but Rodgers will be desperate to use the duo in the club’s most important game of the campaign.

The winner of the Europa Conference League qualifies for next season’s Europa League and represents by far Leicester’s best route into European competition next term.

Rodgers’ men are 10 points adrift of seventh-placed West Ham in the Premier League, with five matches remaining.