Leicester defender Christian Fuchs targets big scalp in Champions League

Christian Fuchs insists Leicester City can replicate their Premier League heroics in the Champions League.

No one foresaw Claudio Ranieri’s team winning the Premier League last season — the pre-season odds on that happening were 5,000-1 — but its rapid fall from grace is taking many by surprise, too.

First-half goals from Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Club Brugge at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday.

But Jose Izquierdo reduced the arrears with a breakaway goal early in the second half and there were some anxious moments for the hosts before their passage was confirmed.

Borussia Dortmund has netted a record eight times in beating Legia Warsaw in the Champions League, while Leicester City’s fairytale year continued as they booked a spot in the last 16.

“Very happy for the club, Chairman, the lads, our fans”, Ranieri said – via the Daily Express. “Another journey – it’s unbelievable”, Ranieri said.

When it was pointed out to the Italian that Leicester have yet to win a League match this season prior to playing a Champions League match, he dismissed the suggestion the European games were weakening their domestic focus.

Leicester might be struggling in the Premier League this season, where they now languish in 14, just two points off the relegation zone. “We must concentrate on the Premier League now”.

It would also distract from their poor league form.

“We started well, we pressed, scored twice and kept possession”. And tonight their first chance they score. “I know what to expect and so do the lads”.

They stand in 14th place, two points off the relegation places.

And they were again almost caught out in the 65th minute when Zieler produced an outstanding reaction save to keep out Pereyra’s close-range header after Amrabat and Daryl Janmaat had combined to open up the Leicester left.

Brugge are bottom of Group G having lost all four games and former Middlesbrough forward Jelle Vossen feels they are being treated as a laughing stock. However, that same defense has only surrendered a single goal in five Champions League matches.

Their first three group games were all preceded by heavy league defeats, but each time Leicester bounced back to win. “We’re obviously going (to Leicester City) with them as champions as it stands”.

‘It was the same a year ago, going into those last few games.