SCHMEICHEL AND VARDY KEEP EURO DREAMS ALIVE

Sevilla 2 City 1

Report by Colin Hall

A superb goalkeeping display by Kasper Schmeichel and an instinctive finish by Jamie Vardy ensured that Leicester emerged from the 1st leg of their Champions League clash with Sevilla trailing by just one goal.

The 2-1 scoreline was hugely flattering for the Foxes, who were outplayed for long spells by a home side who showed many of the qualities which have brought them into contention for the toughest league title in the world.

Yet in the closing minutes, after Vardy's strike, the visitors finally began to show glimpses of the form that earned them so much acclaim last season. If they can carry that momentum into the second leg on 14th March, further adventures in this competition may still await.

As widely forecast, City made ten changes from the side that had performed so dismally at Millwall, recalling a host of first-team regulars. However there was widespread surprise within the visiting support when Ahmed Musa retained a starting berth instead of Demarai Gray.

The hosts were the first to show when Sarabia's long-range shot narrowly cleared Schmeichel's crossbar, though City responded almost immediately with a skied drive by Christian Fuchs. However, that proved to be City's only shot during a half in which they were outfought and outclassed in all areas of the field.

City's defensive disarray was illustrated after 15 minutes when a reckless challenge by Wes Morgan on Correa saw referee Turpin point to the spot. Fortunately for the City captain and his team-mates, though, the home striker was unable to take advantage, sending a tame penalty straight into the hands of a grateful Schmeichel.

But as the Sevilla onslaught continued, the breakthrough arrived as Fuchs misjudged an Escudero cross and allowed Sarabia to send a header beyond a wrongfooted Schmeichel.

The Dane had to be alert to prevent Jovetic and Correa from extending the hosts' advantage before half-time, as Nzonzi and Nasri – both well-known to Premier fans – enjoyed virtually unchallenged midfield supremacy against the Champions League debutant Wilfrid Ndidi and an out-of-sorts Danny Drinkwater.

Claudio Ranieri resisted the temptation to make changes at the break, but City did mount an improvement, with Musa dragging a shot wastefully wide and Ndidi forcing Sergio Rico to make his first save of the game.

It was not long, though, before the general pattern of the game resumed, and after missing several chances to increase the lead, Sevilla eventually found the net for a second time, when Jovetic teased the City defence before laying the ball off for Correa to apply a fine finish.

The scene was set for the hosts to build an unassailable lead before the second leg. But this was an opportunity they failed to take. Instead, perhaps with a crucial weekend derby with neighbours Betis in mind, they started to sit back and slow the game down.

This offered City a slither of encouragement – which they were able to exploit. Drinkwater, on a rare forward excursion, exchanged passes with substitute Gray and drove a cross into the home six-yard box, where an unmarked Vardy took full advantage.

The boost of this unlikely away goal instantly lifted the confidence of the whole side. Riyad Mahrez, previously anonymous, started to make runs at the home defence, while Drinkwater and Gray also began to exert an influence on the game.

Sadly, though, at this stage, the attention of many visiting fans was drawn to skirmishes between local police and a section of City supporters, which witnesses later suggested may have been influenced by the apparently heavy inebriation of the latter group.

Meanwhile, on the field, both sides pushed forward in the closing stages in search of an extra goal to tilt the tie in their favour. However neither side could do so, leaving the outcome intriguingly poised.

Individually and collectively, City's outfield players are capable of far more than they showed during the first 70 minutes of this game. If, on home soil, they can somehow attain the heights attained by Schmeichel in this match, a place in the last eight may yet lie within reach.

Sevilla (4-3-3): Sergio Rico; Rami, Lenglet (Carrico 55), Escudero, Mariano, Nzonzi, Sarabia, Nasri, Vitolo, Jovetic, Correa (Iborra 63). Subs not used: Soria, Kranevitter, Vietto, Ben Yedder, Vazquez

Goals: Sarabia (25), Correa (62).

Bookings: Carrico, Escudero.

Leicester (4-4-2): Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Ndidi, Albrighton (Amartey 87); Musa (Gray 57), Vardy. Subs not used: Zieler, Chilwell, King, Okazaki, Benalouane.

Goal: Vardy (73). 

Attendance: 38,834               Referee: Clement Turpin (France)

PS While returning from Spain, I learned of the news of Claudio Ranieri's dismissal by the club. Although I and others have previously argued (albeit with considerable reluctance) for such action, its timing may appear a little strange to many observers. But at least he has been able to leave with a little more dignity than would have been the case had he been sacked after the Swansea or Millwall games.

It is hoped that his successor – whether interim or permanent – will be of sufficient calibre to do the club justice on both the Premier and European stages.

The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation