RUNNING SCARED OF VARDY
Simeone: He’s really dangerous and will punish any mistakes
IN an ageing stadium due for demolition in the summer, Leicester City’s manager and stand-in captain talked about the past as well as the future.
Boss Craig Shakespeare was forced to answer questions about predecessor Claudio ranieri after the man who led Leicester’s last Champions League fixture in Spain suggested on Monday that ‘somebody behind’ him may have been guilty of betrayal over his sacking.
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, wearing the captain’s armband while Wes Morgan is out injured, reflected on his days in League Two as well as Leicester’s last meeting with Atletico Madrid 20 years ago.
Both spoke with conviction about leaving the Vicente Calderon with a realistic hope of reaching the Champions League semi-finals when they meet in the return at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester are determined to make this the last european fixture at this imposing ground, with Atletico moving to a new stadium 13 miles away next season.
‘We are here to compete,’ said Shakespeare. ‘These players have earned their opportunity and we intend to keep that going. We’ll show Atletico the respect they deserve — we are aware of their strengths — but we are also aware of our strengths.’
Atletico have reached two of the last three Champions League finals, losing both, and are possibly the savviest opponents Leicester could possibly have faced at this stage.
Unlike other teams still in the competition, Diego Simeone’s side will not allow Jamie Vardy the space in which he thrives.
Leicester’s game-changing striker certainly has an admirer in Simeone.
‘I really rate him,’ said the Argentine. ‘he is the kind of powerful striker Atletico have had.
‘he makes life really difficult for defenders and if we make any mistakes, he will penalise that. he is very dangerous. This season he was struggling a little at the start but now he seems to be back on form.’
Leicester hope that continues tonight against a side similar in many ways to the Foxes at their best. Solid in defence, fast on the counter, unafraid of hard work.
‘That is a huge compliment to be compared to Atletico,’ said Shakespeare. ‘Their team ethic is one of their strengths, like ours.’
But clouding the build-up to the biggest match in Leicester’s history was the shadow of ranieri, whose first interview since being sacked seven weeks ago brought skeletons out of the closet.
Shakespeare, who watched Leicester’s Under 23s rather than
Monday Night Football, rejected any suggestions that he played a role in ranieri’s undoing.
‘I spoke to Claudio after he left, he thanked me for my time and I thanked him,’ said Shakespeare. ‘ There has never been any falling-out.’
Asked if ranieri should have cleared up any confusion rather than cause so much speculation, Shakespeare said: ‘Free speech is there for anybody, I don’t have a problem with it. I am quite comfortable with my own conscience.’
Clear minds will also be required of his players, four of whom are one yellow card away from being banned for the return leg next Tuesday. Vardy, robert huth, Wilfried Ndidi, and Islam Slimani are those who must be careful.
‘Players will be reminded not to get any stupid cards for things like encroaching,’ said Shakespeare.
Schmeichel will lead out the team though Morgan has travelled and will give a captain’s address in the dressing room. Morgan was last night on the pitch exchanging banter with the club’s Thai owners, who are soaking up this trip having axed ranieri less than 24 hours after the last one against Sevilla.
The stand-in skipper reflected on his and Leicester’s unlikely journey. ‘When you look at the DNA of our team, the characters, the lower league rejections, these are the nights you want,’ said the Dane, whose european Cup- winning father, Peter, was in attendance.
‘When I was in League Two (with Notts County), these games were what I was aiming for.’
Schmeichel also knew about Leicester’s previous meeting with Atletico, a 1997 UeFA Cup firstround tie that went the way of the Spaniards.
‘Leicester’s european history is not exactly extensive,’ he said, raising a laugh. ‘Obviously, we are hoping for a better outcome.’
Shackling France striker Antoine Griezmann will be crucial and Yohan Benalouane, set to play in place of Morgan, must be more alert than he was against everton on Sunday.