"?Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri hailed the effort of his players and believed they deserved something more from their 2-1 Community Shield to defeat to Manchester United.
The Foxes fought hard in an even game at Wembley Stadium but ultimately fell just short, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic heading a late winner for United.
However, Ranieri could not fault the work ethic and attitude of his players and believes they are on the right trajectory towards being fully prepared for their Premier League title defence.
"I'm very pleased with our performance,"? Ranieri told LCFC TV.
"I made my congratulations to my players. We aren't ready yet to play as we did last season but we played well, especially in the second half.
"Maybe in the first half we were a little more shy because it was so hot and difficult to run. In the second half we pushed a lot and we tried to score. We did and I think at the minimum we deserved to arrive at the penalty shootout.
"I'm very proud and I'm very happy because we worked so hard. I told the players that we aren't ready yet, but give me 120 per cent. Help each other and run for your team-mates. They did this and I'm very pleased.
"For our fans, when they watch the players fight until the end, they are happy. They understand that not always we can win, but they'll always watch the squad fight until the end."?
Claudio Ranieri: "Congratulations to Man Utd, but also to my players as we made a great match."
Lovely bloke. pic.twitter.com/HHGSAQ0uTs
Despite being champions, Ranieri insisted that he has modest targets for the upcoming season. In fact, when asked about his goals for the league, he said he hopes that the Foxes can claim a mere 40 points, effectively half of their triumphant 81-point haul in the previous campaign.
Claudio Ranieri told his post-match press conference: "40 points, 40 points. Don't laugh.
"I will start (the season) with the same philosophy and humility. What Leicester have achieved has been fantastic but now 40 points is the target.
"Forty points is the target, then we will see how many months less to the end of the season."
Claudio Ranieri: "For many of my players, the Champions League is the first time they will face the biggest teams." pic.twitter.com/ekrlhM4JjC