Porto vs Leicester: Claudio Ranieri says fringe players blew their chance in Champions League humbling

Ranieri made a number of changes, leaving his big-name stars at home

Ranieri lived up to his old nickname of 'tinkerman' (Getty)

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has told his fringe players they blew their chance after the Foxes suffered a record Champions League defeat.

They were hammered 5-0 in Porto on Wednesday to suffer the biggest defeat by an English side in the competition.

Andre Silva scored twice while Jesus Corona, Yacine Brahimi and Diogo Jota all netted as the Foxes were dismantled, with Ranieri making 10 changes and picking a second string.

Leicester had already won Group G and, after leaving stars like Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez at home, Ranieri - who gave goalkeeper Ben Hamer his first start for almost two years - said they failed to impress.

"We knew it was a difficult match tonight but I wanted to give a great chance to our players but it was too easy for Porto. I am very, very sad," he said, ahead of Saturday's Premier League visit of Manchester City.

"Now I have a very clear idea about everybody, we have to stay together and think about the Premier League.

"OK we can lose but not in this way. My players lost a very great chance to show me their best.

"I have no regrets because I wanted to give an opportunity to all my players. If I needed to win or draw, I would bring all my first team to fight.

"But when you know there is another difficult match Saturday against Manchester City and you are top of the group, why not give a chance to players who say 'why don't I play? We are losing in the Premier League, give me a chance'.

"For this reason, I give a chance to them. That's it. Then, the result is my fault but they missed a great chance."

Leicester players trudge off after the 5-0 humiliation (Getty)

Leicester can play Paris St Germain, Benfica, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid or Sevilla in the second round and will be massive underdogs.

Leonardo Ulloa hit the bar late on but the visitors were comprehensively outplayed and Ranieri accused them of rolling over.

He added: "I know it is not easy, you don't play and suddenly you play an important match in the Champions League against a great team but you have to do something more. The first goal is too easy and there wasn't the reaction.

"The fault is my fault, I put all my players to show what they can do. The result is my fault, it is important to be clear about this."