Europe’s elite ‘still a target’

– Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (above) has enjoyed playing in the Champions League this season and does not think he will have to leave the club to repeat the experience.

The Premier League champions reached the quarterfinals of the competition at the first attempt but a disappointing domestic campaign means there will be no continental football for them next season.

Schmeichel thinks the club could again qualify for a place among the European elite in future years but at the moment is focused on finishing as high in the league as possible.

“Those Champions league nights are special,” Schmeichel told the BBC. “There is something about the night games, going away to different cities, it makes it unique.”

Leicester, who were flirting with relegation earlier this season, have clawed back up to 11th in the standings since Craig Shakespeare took charge from Claudio Ranieri in February.

Schmeichel believes the players let down their former manager and that the turnaround that has seen the club pick up six victories in their last nine league games was just about an upturn in morale.

“It’s always tough to see,” he added. “The manager takes the brunt and that’s unfortunate because you can’t get rid of a full squad of players.

“Craig has been here a long, long time ... he hasn’t really changed a lot, it’s been about getting the spirits up and getting people firing again.”

Leicester have an opportunity to move into the top half of the league when they host 13th-placed Watford at the King Power Stadium today. – Reuters

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