Schmeichel reveals 'relief' as Leicester maintain bid
Pulse News Agency International By AFP | 08:22 | 16.03.2017Goals from Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton saw Leicester seal a 3-2 aggregate win over Sevilla following a 2-1 first-leg loss in Spain.
- » moreLeicester City's midfielder Wilfred Ndidi (C), defender Wes Morgan (R) and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (L) celebrate their victory at the final whistle during the UEFA Champions League football match against Sevilla March 14, 2017 (AFP/File)
Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has spoken of the "relief" the team felt after they reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Goals from club captain Wes Morganand Marc Albrighton saw Leicester to a 2-0 win at the King Power Stadiumon Tuesday, with Schmeichel making a key penalty save on the night as they sealed a 3-2 aggregate win over Sevillafollowing a 2-1 first-leg loss in Spain.
An incident-packed match saw Sevilla'sSamir Nasri sent off after clashing withJamie Vardy before Schmeichel savedSteven N'Zonzi's penalty and the visitors' manager Jorge Sampaoli sent to the stands.
"There was so much relief when the final whistle went," Schmeichel told Leicester's website.
"It was an amazing evening, I'm proud of all the boys. The fans were absolutely magnificent and it was a great atmosphere," he added.
Leicester, who had been 5,000/1 outsiders, stunned he world of football by winning the Premier League last season.
But a collapse in form this term left them facing the prospect of relegation from the English top and led the Midlands club to sack manager Claudio Ranieri.
However, Tuesday's win was their third in a row since Craig Shakespearestepped up from his previous role as Ranieri's assistant.
Now Leicester could face holders Real Madrid, Barcelona or Juventus in the last eight.
Not that Schmeichel, the son of formerManchester United goalkeeper Peter, was overly concerned by Leicester's next European opponent after giving away a second-half penalty for a foul on Vitolo.
But he made amends by saving Nzonzi's poor spot-kick -- his second penalty save of the tie after he deniedJoaquin Correa in Spain.
"I can't see how it's a penalty but it was given and you have to move on and try to save it," he said.
"It (the clean sheet) is a testament to the boys, we played really well in the first half and it was always going to be tough to keep that intensity.
No comments:
Post a Comment