Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Champions League suits Leicester City well



I have never seen a man so photographed than the Foxes Boss Claudio Rainieri, after making all sorts of headlines and much celebrated history with his fairy tale of a campaign, with his Foxes, by winning the league with an all-around fashion.

Making it into a worldwide headliner in a league known to have its traditional squads winning the shield every year and the Blues did it with sheer will and determination, achieving the admiration and applause of the whole soccer world!

That feat enabled the Lancashire version of City to net a spot in the always prestigious and spectacular Champions League, known for its competitive and much disputed matches.

A paramount event that gathers all of Europe’s foremost of squads and these looking forward for the always-coveted long eared cup that can be the highlight of its trophy rooms as well an unforgettable honor and experience earned.

With Group G action under way in its second day of hostilities, today was the day when these glory seeking Boys from Leicester City were to make their debut and play as a visitor against one of Belgium’s top rated squads in Club Brugges KV.

The date was at always-difficult Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruge, to a near sold out crowd who came and saw one of England’s utmost of champions and resurgent giant in its always-spectacular Premiership League. Among those in attendance were 1400 of Leicester City fans to make the trek and support their Boys.

For Claudio Rainieri and his chaps, once again they were writing their own history for this club first appearance in this renowned tourney. Despite the difficulties the Foxes are enduring in the EPL with a slow start and so far just coming out from a horrible goal fest were Liverpool put on an offensive show, for the City crew to forgive and forget being its all-around motto.

Still a date with destiny and in-group play was a total test for the Foxes, as their rival in turn has a reputation in its league of being a superpower and enjoying their all-around advantage of playing as a local that became a tough test for the English Champions.

As Brugges KV Manager Michel Preud’Homme sending a 4-4-2 formation alongside his best strikers to front and make the living hell and test all evening long, the Leicester City defensive backfield and its top rated keeper momentum of Kasper Schmeichel. 

Aligning his best men in the front and considered his aces under the sleeve with Colombian Jose Izquierdo and Malis Abdulay Diaby to cause havoc in the visitor’s backfield accompanied by an armada in his midfield, the locals Boss were ready for the challenge.

In the case of the visitors Boss Claudio Rainieri, putting his squad in an identical formation, sending his best men to do the job in the front in Jamie Vardy, and making his debut Islam Slimani, the Foxes were ready to counter their hosts strike attack.

As the clock with just five minutes into the game, suddenly the visiting Leicester City Boys made themselves present by opening the scoreboard.

The play was a nice 33 plus yards pass sent by Leicester City defender Luis Hernandez when a bad move of Brugges keeper Ludovic Butelle- taken advantage by an opportune Marc Albrighton being in the right place to push the ball and beating his defender for the 1-0 score.

The buck did not stop there for the visitors playing an amazing football, same that made them perform a fairy tale of a campaign and netted them the EPL championship, with constant arrivals and pressure over the Brugges backfield.

The Foxes managed to put the second goal with a beauty of a shoot performed by their master of the midfield in Ryad Mahrez cannon that beat a defeated Ludovic Butelle in the 29th minute for the 2-0 as the go-ahead goal and putting in shame the home squad.

As the Leicester city Boys despite the dominance, luck was on their side as several attempts of the Club to put a score or two in the board became just sudden scares for the visitors and frustrations for the followers of the Black and Blue.

Once again, Jamie Vardy was desperately looking forward and advancing without any opposition, when suddenly tripped and flying over Brugge keeper Ludovic Butelle after this latter one provoked the play, the referee without hesitation marked the penal in favor of the Foxes.

As the locals Goalie just got away with a yellow card, it’s when Leicester City man of the middle Ryad Mahrez took the responsibilities and marked the 3-0 to crown an all-around day of heroics and a dispatched himself with a double.

Without any doubt, Leicester City is hungry to make an impact in Champions if not surprising a run to its finals, in today’s match the Foxes marked another milestone for English clubs competing in Champions League. As Leicester City being the tenth club from England and becoming the first one to win their first ever-away game.

By now the Foxes must enjoyed their first win and being in sole possession of first place in Group G and with back to back matches at home on September 27 against Porto and October 18 Copenhagen, opportunity knocks for them with positive results to advance into the next rounds easily.

Leicester City performance in their first ever Champions League, made it looked as an easy affair with their one of a kind game displayed and performance that made them look like this was not their first ever rodeo.



Post Contents and Property of Fern Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved

Photos Credit and Property of © Associated Newspapers LTD. 2016


Photos Credit and Property of © Getty Images, AP and BPI / Kieran Mc Manus 2016

 

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