Wednesday 19 April 2017 23:51, UK
Danny Drinkwater is targeting a swift return to Champions League football following Leicester's narrow elimination at the hands of Atletico Madrid.
The Foxes' lacklustre defence of their Premier League title means a top-four finish is out of reach, but having played against Europe's elite, Drinkwater insists he and his team-mates are determined to return to the competition in the future.
"Playing in stadiums like over there in Madrid - that's Champions League football. You hear the music and you get a tingle down your spine and a buzz," he said. "Now we've had a taste of it, we want more."
Following last season's incredible Premier League success Leicester have proved that anything is possible and Drinkwater revealed the squad believed they were capable of repeating the feat in the Champions League despite their lack of European experience.
"We did believe we could win it," he said. "We weren't in it just to take part. We're a squad that believes we can do things some people probably didn't think we're capable of, but we just keep pushing ourselves on the training field and out on the pitch.
"There was nothing for us to be scared of. Atletico Madrid are a big force in Europe and we pushed them all the way."
Saul Niguez's superb header made it 1-0 on the night at the King Power Stadium which doubled Atletico's overall lead from the first leg before Leicester responded with Jamie Vardy's second-half goal.
Atletico then faced large spells of pressure from Leicester who pressed for further home goals but they proved elusive against Diego Simeone's well organised and resolute side.
"We felt we could get back into it and we created chances but they were blocked," said Drinkwater's central midfield partner Wilfred Ndidi, who is confident the Foxes can get back into Europe.
"We tried our best but it was unfortunate and the aim in future is to get more European football.
"We are not in Europe next season but I believe we can fight everything next season to get there again."
