Leicester City have done it!
In the latest sensational episode in the Foxes’ recent history the current Premier League champions have qualified top of their group for the knockout stages of the Champions League and can now look forward to a fixture against one of the biggest names on the continent.
It was a pretty straightforward affair in truth for Claudio Ranieri’s men who brushed Club Brugge aside 2-1 thanks to goals from Shinji Okazaki, a fine swept effort with his left foot, and a penalty from the Algerian Riyad Mahrez.
Brugge would pull one back from Jose Izquierdo but it wasn’t enough as 2-1 it stayed with the draw between Porto and FC Copenhagen enough to see Leicester through on top with one game to go.
Plenty to learn, then, from this one and so here are five things we got from the game…
They think they can win it
Whisper it quietly but there are some quarters starting to think the unthinkable again with Leicester City, they could challenge for the Champions League.
Whilst that does seem hugely optimistic at the moment we all know what this side can do when they believe and they look like they do. Clearly, the Champions League is the priority as it could be once in a life-time and so far the Foxes have been immaculate. Roll on the knockouts.
Okazaki continues to prove worth
Shinji Okazaki is your typical cult hero as, whilst the likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez grabbed the headlines, he goes about his business in quiet but effective fashion.
He’s got a knack of grabbing important goals at the right time and he certainly did tonight to get the Foxes on their way. He’ll work his socks off, too, and that is always going to endear you to a set of supporters.
Mahrez is a Champions League player
One of the big questions we were wondering at the start of the season was whether Riyad Mahrez would be a one season wonder or if he could genuinely perform on this stage and, so far at least, he has answered that with an emphatic yes he can.
The Algerian has been quiet in the Premier League this season but influential in Europe and as the games get tougher he’ll be looking to show off he’s even better than first thought.
Foxes still know no fear
We’ve wondered where the Leicester City of last season have been in the league this year but they are clearly still about, they only appear for European performances now though.
It was another step into the unknown as we wondered whether they could actually reach the knockout stages and they have passed it with flying colours. They’re not scared of anyone in Europe this season and will go right for the jugular with whoever they play.
Leicester can now prioritise the league
Whilst it’s very unlikely Leicester are going to get themselves back into the title race this season they can at least concentrate on it now they have qualified.
The Foxes have been below par in the Premier League this season and need to seriously improve before things get uncomfortable. Many have felt Europe has distracted them, though, and so now we may be about to see them turn things around on the domestic front.
