Thursday 13 April 2017 12:37, UK
Leicester were beaten 1-0 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, but the narrow defeat keeps the tie alive. Nick Wright wonders whether their disciplined second-half display could be the first step towards another famous European triumph...
The statistics highlighted the scale of the task facing Leicester at the Vicente Calderon. Atletico Madrid had lost just one of their 21 previous Champions League home games under Diego Simeone. They had not even conceded a goal in 15 of their last 17.
They continued that formidable record with their 1-0 win on Wednesday night, but Leicester's objective was to stay in the tie, and they left the pitch at the final whistle knowing they had achieved it. Having overcome a one-goal deficit in the last round against Sevilla, Craig Shakespeare's side now have another historic result within their reach.
It would be another remarkable achievement and there is plenty of work ahead, but it looked like it would be a different story altogether during a one-sided first half in which the gulf in class between the two teams was plainly obvious.
Atletico midfielder Koke set the tone when he cracked a diagonal shot against the outside of the post in the fourth minute, and Antoine Griezmann soon started terrorising the visitors.
Leicester couldn't cope with his movement. In a free role behind Fernando Torres, Griezmann caused havoc in the space in front of Leicester's defence. An instinctive turn and shot left Wilfred Ndidi on the turf and had Kasper Schmeichel back-peddling in the 13th minute. Moments later he charged through midfield to set up Torres for another chance.
Leicester only touched the ball 10 times in Atletico's half in the first 15 minutes, and while they did rally briefly after that, it wasn't long before the hosts went in front. Unsurprisingly, it was Griezmann who made it, scurrying clear on the counter-attack before he was tripped by Marc Albrighton on the left-hand side of Leicester's box.
Replays showed the foul took place outside the area, leaving Leicester justifiably aggrieved, but referee Jonas Eriksson pointed to the spot and Griezmann made no mistake. When the players went down the tunnel at half-time, Atletico had taken 10 shots on goal to Leicester's two.
But having watched Griezmann tear his side open time and again, Shakespeare made an important tactical change at the break, with Andy King replacing Shinji Okazaki. The extra man in midfield allowed Ndidi to sit in front of the back four, where he was able to limit Griezmann's influence and therefore blunt Atletico's attacking threat.
Ndidi won possession more times (12) than any of his team-mates, but he was not the only one who defended resolutely in the second half. Yohan Benalouane deputised impressively for the injured Wes Morgan. The only downside of Robert Huth's commanding performance was the yellow card which ruled him out of the second leg.
Atletico continued to dominate possession but struggled to pick their way through. There were fleeting moments of danger from Griezmann and substitute Angel Correa, but the stats showed Simeone's side had just four shots on goal in the second half. It was only one more than Leicester. None of them hit the target. "We lacked the clinical finish," admitted Simeone.
Leicester regained some composure with the ball, too. Having completed just 65 per cent of their passes in their panicky first half, they completed 74 per cent after the break. It helped them ease the pressure and allowed them to keep Atletico at arm's length for long periods.
Simeone's side remain strong favourites to progress having avoided conceding an away goal, but if recent history tells us anything, it's that it would be foolish to write this Leicester side off.
"Of course we're still alive," said Shakespeare afterwards. "We know we still have a challenge ahead against a very good team. We know it's going to be a difficult return match. But we have a very good home record at the King Power. We have to create more chances, we have to attack more than we did, but we are aware of what have got to do in the second leg."
It promises to be an intriguing encounter. Leicester were outplayed by Atletico for long periods just as they were by Sevilla, but another one-goal deficit presents another opportunity. Their amazing story might have another chapter left to run.
