Slimani: Dragon slayer

Why Porto have every reason to fear Leicester striker Islam Slimani, the Dragon slayer.

To the supporters of Sporting, Islam Slimani was the Lion King because of his old club’s nickname. But when the Lions of Sporting played against the Dragons of Porto in one of Portugal’s biggest fixtures, the Algerian went by another name: The Dragon slayer.

Slimani scored six goals in as many games against Porto, punishing the rivals from the north time and time again. He scored braces at home and away – signing off last month with a customary goal in Sporting’s 2-1 win at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Now at Leicester following his £29m deadline day move to the Premier League, it hasn’t taken long for the fixture list to throw up a reunion. The Foxes’ first ever Champions League game at the King Power sees Porto come to town – and Slimani will be waiting.

With the striker having already netted no fewer than five times against Porto in 2016 alone, Claudio Ranieri will surely seek to unleash him on Tuesday night. Here, we look at precisely why it’s Slimani – not Riyad Mahrez or Jamie Vardy – who Porto fans will be fearing most…

Sporting 1-0 Porto, March 2014

Even last season Sporting coach Jorge Jesus felt moved to describe Slimani as “a player full of technical and tactical defects” so there’s no denying that the 25-year-old who arrived in Portugal in the summer of 2013 was a raw talent indeed.

As a result, …

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