Atletico tie ideal for Foxes says boss

LEICESTER boss Craig Shakespeare is looking forward to the “massive challenge” of facing Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Foxes’ progress on their debut in Europe’s elite club competition has gone some way to rivalling the shock value of their Premier League triumph.

After toppling Spanish title challengers Sevilla in the last 16, Leicester will now take on a team who have reached the Champions League final in two of the last three seasons.

Shakespeare said: “Facing a team who have reached the final in two of the last three seasons is a massive challenge but it’s just the kind of tie you expect in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

“Atletico Madrid are a very good team with some fantastic individuals with experience in the competition, but we’ll be ready to give everything to progress.”

The Foxes, England’s sole representatives in the competition following the exit of Manchester City and Arsenal, will travel to the Spanish capital in the week beginning April 10, with the second match taking place the following week.

Leicester can take encouragement from the fact that Atletico have not been quite as strong in the league this season and sit fourth in LaLiga, five points behind Sevilla.

Leicester are certainly the surprise name in this season’s last eight, and Atletico director and former defender Clemente Villaverde believes they cannot be underestimated.

He said: “In the previous tie and in the group stages they have shown they are a team to take account of, and the difficulty that we’re going to have is very high.

“We played against them in the old Uefa Cup in the 90s and we got through that tie and we hope to follow in the same footsteps.

“They’ve already overcome an opponent like Sevilla, who we know very well.

“We have the confidence that comes with competing in this competition in recent years and we hope we’re capable of not committing mistakes and doing well.”