Marc Albrighton broke the deadlock for Leicester before two set-pieces from Riyad Mahrez either side of half-time, one free-kick and the other a penalty, ensured the club’s historic night will be remembered fondly.
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Leicester City marked their first Champions League match with a resounding 3-0 win over Club Brugge via a Riyad Mahrez brace.
This was just the ninth European match in Leicester’s history, and their first win since a triumph over Glenavon of Northern Ireland in the preparatory round of the 1961-62 Cup winners cup- when 1966 World Cup champ Gordon Banks was in goal.
“I said from the beginning the Champions League will be an experience for us – we hope to get through and play again”, Ranieri said.
Bet365 make Leicester 11/8 favourites to win this one with Brugge 2/1 outsiders.
“It’s a big test against everyone because with Rostov we are the only two teams never to play in the Champions League before”, he added.
Although Club Brugge’s captain escaped with just a yellow card for the cynical foul, Mahrez sent the resulting free-kick beyond Butelle’s desperate dive to double Leicester’s advantage.
The only sour note for Leicester was a booking for 29-million-pound ($38.38-million) record signing Islam Slimani for a push on the back of Bjorn Engels, which led to the defender falling awkwardly and injuring his shoulder.
Mahrez then helped himself to a second from the penalty spot 16 minutes after the break, converting after Jamie Vardy had been upended in the box by Brugge goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle to ensure Leicester took all three points back to the East Midlands.
Leicester enjoyed such dominance that manager Claudio Ranieri substituted both strikers with 20 minutes remaining.
Ranieri’s side lost 4-1 at Liverpool last time out and the Italian accepted it will be a different challenge this season for his side to play regularly in midweek and at weekends.
“It’s important because now we have another target man, he can flick the ball and is unsafe in the area”, said Ranieri.
Now, it’s time to translate that into the Premier League when Leicester hosts Burnley on Saturday at the King Power Stadium.
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“Club Brugge moved the ball very well, they had the control of the ball but we had control of the match and that was good for us. We started well, and that gives us confidence”. “If they think about the music I ring my bell”, he said. “No fear, we just played our football and let that do the talking”.
