Claudio Ranieri: 'Leicester City are in a relegation battle'

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has admitted that his side are in a relegation battle following their 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough this afternoon.

The Foxes stunned the world of football by winning the Premier League title by 10 points last season, but the defence of their crown has got off to a poor start with only three wins from their 13 matches so far.

Ranieri's side needed an injury-time penalty to rescue a point against Boro at the King Power Stadium, and the veteran Italian manager admitted that they were fortunate to come away with anything from the game.

"For us now it's important to think we are in the battle of relegation and every point is OK. We wanted to win, but when it's not possible one point after 93 minutes is OK," he told reporters.

"I'm not worried. But I am a very pragmatic man. Now we are (down) there, last season we were very, very far ahead, but I was always looking behind me. We must be patient, see what happens, stay together and let's pass that moment because sooner or later we will go back.

"The performance wasn't good. They played better than us, I am very happy with our character, to believe until the end something good can happen. We showed fantastic spirit. I and my players knew it was a tough match, they played well and kept a lot of possession, but we created more chances."

The draw leaves Leicester just two points clear of the relegation zone.