Leicester seeks to continue European stroll in Copenhagen
LONDON (Reuters) – Leicester City has turned its debut season in the Champions League into a cakewalk, and victory over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday would seal its place in the last-16.
A narrow win over Copenhagen a fortnight ago made Leicester one of only five group stage debutantes to win its first three games and should the Foxes make it four from four and Porto fails to beat Club Brugge, they will secure top spot in Group G.
That would, in likelihood, spare them a clash with one of the big guns in the first knockout round when the competition begins again in the new year.
How Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, England’s other three representatives, would like to be in that position with two group games to spare?
Yet Leicester’s European form has been in stark contrast to its domestic performances as the club struggled to adjust to wearing the English champion’s crown.
A 1-1 draw at Tottenham at the weekend, its first away point in the Premier League this season, following on from a home win over Crystal Palace has hinted at a return to the kind of resilience that took the Foxes to an historic title last season.
Leicester is one of only four teams – Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Sevilla being the others – yet to concede a goal in the Champions League this season although Copenhagen had its chances at the King Power Stadium where it was beaten 1-0.
That defeat was the only loss in 24 matches in all competitions for the Danish champion, which still feels it has a great chance of progressing to the knockout phase for the second time, following its run in 2010-11.
All the more reason why coach Stale Solbakken is angry that his side had to play a Danish league game on Sunday – a 3-1 victory over FC Midtjylland.
“It’s suicide for Danish football that we have to play a game like this on Sunday evening,” said Norwegian Solbakken, whose side is level with Porto on four points. “Our opponents in Wednesday’s Champions League group game could start preparing for the game on Saturday.”
Leicester will be without midfielder Nampalys Mendy (ankle) while Islam Slimani (groin) and Ahmed Musa (knock) will be assessed ahead of the game.
Copenhagen will be hoping Federico Santander can continue a run of form that has helped him to score six goals in his last seven matches in all competitions.
No panic from Pochettino despite Spurs’ winless run
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Leicester at White Hart Lane on Saturday was its third straight Premier League game without a win, but manager Mauricio Pochettino says there is no reason to panic.
Spurs, the only unbeaten team in the Premier League this season, are in fifth place having won five and drawn five of their opening 10 games.
They host German side Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday before traveling to face Arsenal in the league four days later.
Three points behind leader Manchester City in the Premiership, Pochettino is maintaining perspective despite three straight league draws.
“Me, I never panic, not in football,” he told British media.
Having scored just three goals in their last five games, Tottenham have sorely missed Harry Kane but Pochettino said he would not rush the striker back.
Kane suffered an ankle injury against Sunderland last month, but could return this week.
Pochettino said his side’s lack of goals should not be placed at the doorstep of his strikers.
“We cannot have all the pressure on our striker. Our second line need to score more, be more determined, and maybe we are lacking those goals this season,” he said.