The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Schmeichel stresses importance of late Vardy strike
Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel believes Jamie Vardy’s away goal at Sevilla will have played a “massive” part if the Foxes are to progress in the Champions League.
The Dane, who saved an early Joaquin Correa penalty in the 2-1 defeat, later conceded to the same player after Pablo Sarabia opened the scoring at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Premier League champions Leicester will, however, return to the Midlands for the last-16 second-leg clash buoyed by Vardy’s second-half goal, the striker’s first in European club competition.
Schmeichel told BT Sport: “The away goal’s massive. That was something we’d hoped we could get going back to the King Power, because anything could happen there.
“It’s a joy to play in these types of games and tonight was something that every single player was looking forward to. You could see how everyone ran their socks off and worked so hard.”
Manager Claudio Ranieri is feeling positive about Leicester’s chances of reaching the last eight.
“We knew they were better than us with their high quality and how they keep possession of the ball, so we suffered,” said the Italian.
“They showed their quality and we showed our big heart, big organisation and belief. We believed and never gave up. I am very satisfied.
“Everything is open and we are ready for the battle.”