Premier League might not be going to plan, but Leicester City’s
European adventure continues on Tuesday night as they welcome Club
Brugge with the focus to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions
League.
Claudio Ranieri’s men have won three times in their four matches so far in the competition, breaking all sorts of first-timer records in the process and need only a point to qualify for the next stage, but their domestic form has been horrendous.
After their latest defeat to Watford, the Foxes are just two points above the drop zone as things stand, 16 points off top spot.
Asked about their Premier League struggle during the press conference, Ranieri said: “I was waiting, not for a fantastic start [to the season] but not so bad. Of course I am very happy for the Champions League matches, but the balance is not so good. I am very frustrated with the Premier League.”
Leicester’s forward Riyad Mahrez, who has come alive in the Champions League, scoring three and setting up one of their five goals in the competition, insisted that getting involved in the relegation battle is not in his mind.
“I don’t want to think about [relegation] because you never know in football,” Mahrez said. “I know we have good quality to stay in the Premier League, maybe more.”
The Foxes have been brittle defensively, overrun in midfield at times and toothless tigers in attack. And one major reason for their domestic failures has been Jamie Vardy’s poor form. Vardy, who was the star man for Leicester’s fairytale last season, has gone off the boil.
The England striker scored for England in the friendly against Spain, but is yet to break his duck in Europe, but a goal from him on Tuesday night could send Leicester into the knockout stages and boost his confidence.
Leicester badly needs Vardy as well as Mahrez to hit form and Club Brugge, on the face of it, should be perfect opponents to restore a little confidence. The last time when these two sides met, Leicester ran out convincing 3-0 winners in September.
Club Brugge are yet to register a point in Champions League and manager Michel Preud'homme is adamant his side can come up with a fight in the final two games.
"I hope we can show something in our two final games. We want to remove that zero as quickly as possible, so we will do everything to grab points. Although that does not mean that we will take risks," he said.
Unlike Leicester, Brugge are well placed in the third position of their division A table with 27 points. Jelle Vossen has been the man behind their success with 5 goals in 15 appearances, and his team will rely on him for goals against Leicester City.
But the visitors will be without the injured Abdoulay Diaby and the suspended Ruud Vormer. Lior Rafaelov has travelled with the squad, however his manager has confirmed he won't be part of the 18.
Leicester have concerns over the fitness of Leonardo Ulloa, while Nampalys Mendy is out. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel also remains sidelined, thanks to a fractured hand but Islam Slimani faces a late fitness test after missing the visit to Watford.
Leicester’s 20 game unbeaten run at home came to a halt earlier this month when West Brom defeated them 2-1. The run may be over, but Brugge will face an uphill task in becoming just the second team since September 2015 to beat the Foxes at the King Power stadium.
source: .tensports.comhttp://www.tensports.com/blogs/uefa-champions-league-leicester-city-vs-club-brugge-preview
Claudio Ranieri’s men have won three times in their four matches so far in the competition, breaking all sorts of first-timer records in the process and need only a point to qualify for the next stage, but their domestic form has been horrendous.
After their latest defeat to Watford, the Foxes are just two points above the drop zone as things stand, 16 points off top spot.
Asked about their Premier League struggle during the press conference, Ranieri said: “I was waiting, not for a fantastic start [to the season] but not so bad. Of course I am very happy for the Champions League matches, but the balance is not so good. I am very frustrated with the Premier League.”
Leicester’s forward Riyad Mahrez, who has come alive in the Champions League, scoring three and setting up one of their five goals in the competition, insisted that getting involved in the relegation battle is not in his mind.
“I don’t want to think about [relegation] because you never know in football,” Mahrez said. “I know we have good quality to stay in the Premier League, maybe more.”
The Foxes have been brittle defensively, overrun in midfield at times and toothless tigers in attack. And one major reason for their domestic failures has been Jamie Vardy’s poor form. Vardy, who was the star man for Leicester’s fairytale last season, has gone off the boil.
The England striker scored for England in the friendly against Spain, but is yet to break his duck in Europe, but a goal from him on Tuesday night could send Leicester into the knockout stages and boost his confidence.
Leicester badly needs Vardy as well as Mahrez to hit form and Club Brugge, on the face of it, should be perfect opponents to restore a little confidence. The last time when these two sides met, Leicester ran out convincing 3-0 winners in September.
Club Brugge are yet to register a point in Champions League and manager Michel Preud'homme is adamant his side can come up with a fight in the final two games.
"I hope we can show something in our two final games. We want to remove that zero as quickly as possible, so we will do everything to grab points. Although that does not mean that we will take risks," he said.
Unlike Leicester, Brugge are well placed in the third position of their division A table with 27 points. Jelle Vossen has been the man behind their success with 5 goals in 15 appearances, and his team will rely on him for goals against Leicester City.
But the visitors will be without the injured Abdoulay Diaby and the suspended Ruud Vormer. Lior Rafaelov has travelled with the squad, however his manager has confirmed he won't be part of the 18.
Leicester have concerns over the fitness of Leonardo Ulloa, while Nampalys Mendy is out. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel also remains sidelined, thanks to a fractured hand but Islam Slimani faces a late fitness test after missing the visit to Watford.
Leicester’s 20 game unbeaten run at home came to a halt earlier this month when West Brom defeated them 2-1. The run may be over, but Brugge will face an uphill task in becoming just the second team since September 2015 to beat the Foxes at the King Power stadium.
source: .tensports.comhttp://www.tensports.com/blogs/uefa-champions-league-leicester-city-vs-club-brugge-preview
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