CITY BOW OUT WITH PRIDE

LEICESTER CITY 1 ATHLETICO MADRID 1 (1 – 2 ON AGGREGATE)

Match Report by Paul Weston

It is not often that any team receives a long lasting standing ovation after being defeated. However, City fans rose as one at the end of this enthralling match to applaud the City players as they sunk to the ground in exhaustion and despair after giving their all. The fairy tale had ended (for now) but what a journey it had been!

Right from the start it was one of those “I was there” football nights and the atmosphere in the KP stadium was electric. Dry ice, fireworks, flags and music ratcheted up the expectation for a match that was beyond our wildest dreams. City started 1-0 down in the tie to a penalty (that should never have been given) but we all had seen enough in the first leg to know that we were facing a major obstacle in Athletico Madrid. Their defence seemed rock solid and canny too.

Morgan had managed to overcome his back injury and was selected alongside Benelouane in central defence, with Huth disappointingly suspended – especially after his man of the match performance in the first leg. Our central defence was a worry. Would Morgan’s back hold out? How would his partnership with Benelouane cope with Griseman’s skills?

Shakespeare selected our undoubted “A” team with Ulloa on the bench instead of Slimani who, yet again, was injured.

The first half started quite cautiously with Fuchs and Simpson holding back from advancing too far forward. Okazaki should have done better after a lightning break by Vardy. However, after a good start Athletico started to get the measure of Okazaki and consequently the link to Vardy disintegrated, often leaving him on his own against three defenders.

Then, somewhat out of the blue, Athletico scored leaving City to score three times to win the tie. It was a fairly simple goal. A cross from the left found Saul unattended and he skilfully headed in past the fingertips of Schmeichel. It was a rare defensive error. Who should have been marking him?

The half ended with City still battling hard but with a feeling that Athletico were in control. However, Shakespeare changed to three at the back at half time, bringing on Chilwell and Ulloa for Benelouane and Okazaki. The changes made a huge difference and City began to throw the kitchen sink at Athletico. Ulloa, who many believe is as good as Slimani,, was proving a real handful and at last Vardy had a strike partner. Chilwell was not being picked up and was causing many problems down the left with forceful runs and a shot that narrowly cleared the goal.

With about 30 minutes to go another Chilwell shot across goal was partially blocked and Vardy cleverly scored into the corner in front of the Kop. The stadium was alive with noise and for the first time Athletico were wobbling. City still had to score two more goals though.

City took more and more risks in pressing forward and created good chances. The team just would not lie down and the crowd responded in urging on the players. Crosses rained in and shots on goal by Ulloa and Vardy were blocked. We will never know what might have happened if we could have pulled another goal back.

Athletico threatened to score on the break but somehow our defence held firm. In the latter stage. Wes Morgan had to leave the field with what looked like a hamstring injury after performing so well. Fuchs took over in central defence. Up to the final whistle Schmeichel was up for corners and the team just would not give up in the hope that we could still score two more goals.

However, it was not to be and this amazing adventure which started with escaping relegation, winning the Premiership title and reaching the Champions League quarter finals came to a glorious end. Although there was a difference in quality between the two teams the spirit of Leicester City shone through. Athletico had to be at their very best to beat us and all our players could hold their heads high.

It will be interesting now after the short break to see how City respond in the last matches of the season. Shakespeare surely has proven that he has the tactical nous and relationship with the players to develop the team further. Will that be sufficient for the owners’ global branding of the club? There are some key decisions also to make on who stays or departs from the squad and we need some continuity. Some poor acquisitions had been made in the close season and strengthening in central defence is still a priority.

Who would have thought that City would remain unbeaten at home in the Champions League? I really hope that in my life time I see the team back in Europe again. However, if it does not happen, I will never forget this night.

Leicester City: Schmeichel, Simpson, Benalouane, Morgan, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Ndidi, Albrighton, Okazaki, Mahrez, Vardy.Subs: Zieler, Chilwell, Musa, King, Amartey, Gray, Ulloa.

Atlético Madrid: Oblak, Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Gimenez, Filipe Luis, Gabi, Koke, Saul Niguez, Carrasco, Griezmann.Subs: Moya, Torres, Correa, Lucas Hernandez, Gameiro, Thomas, Gaitan.

Referee: Gianluca Rocchi (Italy)

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