In Belgium, Ahmed Musa’s Leicester City returned to the UEFA Champions League stage after 16 years with a bang defeating Belgian champions Club Brugge 3-0 on Wednesday.
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Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri believes Riyad Mahrez’s two goals in the Champions League win over Club Brugge proves the Algerian has rediscovered his form.
Riyad Mahrez scored twice after Marc Albrighton grabbed the opener just five minutes in to net the Foxes’ first ever goal in the competition.
Only winning the Champions League would replicate the scenes that accompanied securing the Premier League title last term, and though even Leicester’s most ardent supporters would admit that is nearly impossible for the Foxes this term, there is a belief that they can still mix it with Europe’s good and great over the coming season.
‘It’s important because now we have another target man, he can flick the ball and is unsafe in the area, ‘ Ranieri added.
“We know he’s capable of that”, Albrighton said of the free kick.
Mahrez added a third from the penalty spot in the second period after another misplaced pass led to Vardy being tripped inside the box by Butelle, and if teams on the continent were not already aware of Leicester’s quality then they certainly will be now.
The only sour note for Leicester was a booking for 29-million pound record signing Islam Slimani for a push on Bjorn Engels, which led to the defender falling awkwardly and injuring his shoulder.
The young Nigerian sealed his side’s win in the 90th minute after Sergio Aguero had completed his hat-trick.
“Maybe the [Champions League] music woke up him!” The Italian said he was delighted with the performance.
“If we don’t achieve the first two positions we’ll go in the Europa League, that’s our desire to continue in Europe although the Champions League is better”. ‘It was very important to start our story with a victory.
In the night’s other match in Group G, Portuguese club FC Porto drew 1-1 at home to FC Copenhagen of Denmark. “No fear, we just played our football and let that do the talking”, said England striker Vardy, a constant menace for the bewildered home back line.
‘It is historic, ‘ said Ranieri.
“We have started well and it gives us confidence and now we have to stay calm and put our minds to the next match on Saturday (against Burnley)”. We scored twice [in the first half] and it was important to keep going and be attentive so we don’t make any mistakes.
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This, though, was largely the Leicester team that won the Premier League against all the odds.
