Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri says Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 first-leg tie at Sevilla could prove to be a turning point in the Foxes’ fortunes this season.
The defending Premier League champions are struggling domestically as they sit just once place and one point above the relegation zone.
However, they have won four of their six games in Europe this season.
“This game could be everything,” said Ranieri.
“If we win, something could change. We need one match like this.”
Leicester, who are without striker Islam Slimani as he struggles to overcome a groin injury, face a tough task against a side that are experienced European campaigners.
They are five-time Europa League winners and are participating in the Champions League for the second successive season.
Sevilla are third in La Liga and have lost just twice at home all season – to Barcelona in the league and Juventus in the Champions League.
“We know in our mind we are the underdog,” added Ranieri.
“If you see in the last 10 years what Sevilla achieves, it’s amazing.
“They are used to staying at the top. They have good players but we are ready to fight and ready to play our football.”
Leicester’s poor domestic form has seen Ranieri come under pressure, although he was given the club’s “unwavering support” earlier this month.
The Italian admitted he could have left in the summer after leading Leicester to the title, but chose to stay in order to “build something good”.
“I could leave last season,” he said.
“I won the title and I had something with other teams but I wanted to stay here because I knew it was a difficult year.
“I keep going, I maintain my mind in this way. I forget the title and I want to achieve something good for the fans, chairman and the city.”
With Slimani out, Shinji Okazaki is expected to start alongside Jamie Vardy at Sevilla.
England striker Vardy scored 24 Premier League goals last season but has managed just five this term, while Leicester are yet to score in the league in 2017.
“We have to completely forget what happened last year,” said Vardy.
“We have to work hard, the boss, his staff and the players and then come game time we need to put it all into practise.
“It is strange [playing in the Champions League last 16 while in a relegation battle] but it’s a game where we can forget about it for one night.”
Despite Leicester’s domestic troubles, Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli believes the Foxes can still cause them plenty of trouble.
He said: “I think Leicester are not having a good time in the league, they have a lot of doubts when last year they had so much belief.
“They were brilliant in the league last year and have been great in the Champions League, they qualified very quickly so in a two-legged tie it still poses a lot of risks for us.”
Sevilla are without right back Gabriel Mercado, who is suspended, and the injured Nicolas Pareja (groin).
Source: BBC SPORTS