Foxes chief relishes Atletico challenge

Leicester City 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 de but in Europe’ s elite club competition has gone some way to rivalling the shock value of last year’s 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.”

Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Sevilla, which gave Leicester a 3-2 aggregate victory, made it three wins in a row since Shakespeare replaced his former boss Claudio Ranieri.

But Shakespeare insisted his side will not take their eye off their Premier League relegation fight in the meantime, starting with today’s trip to West Ham and following up with home games against Stoke (April 1) and Sunderland (April 4).

He said: “It will be a brilliant occasion for our supporters and for everyone at the club but, before the players can begin to think about these games, we have Premier League matches to come that are of huge significance to our season. They will be our sole focus.”

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho got his wish for a short trip when Manchester United we repaired with Belgian League leaders Anderlecht in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The first leg – which comes four days after a Premier League visit to Sunderland – is in Brussels on Thursday, April 13, with the return a week later.