DANNY’S DESPAIR

DANNY DRINKWATER claims Leicester genuinely believed they could win the Champions League.

The England midfielder rubbished the notion that Leicester were merely making up the numbers in their first season in the competition.

The Foxes put up a heroic fight as England’s last remaining club before bowing out in the quarter-finals to Atletico Madrid with heads held high.

Drinkwater says the players’ heartache is compounded by the fact they held dreams of being crowned kings of Europe.

Pushing

“We did believe we could win it,” he said. “We weren’t in there just to take part.

“We’re a squad that believes we can do things some people probably didn’t think we’re capable of, but we just keep pushing ourselves on the training field and out on the pitch.

“I think that goes through the dressing room and through all of the staff.

“The Champions League is a tournament and not a league so it’s a win-and-you’re-through, lose-and-you’re-out ® situation. Now we’ve had a taste of it, we want more. There’s nothing for us to be scared of.

“Atletico Madrid are a big force in Europe and we pushed them all the way. Playing in stadiums like over there in Madrid, that’s Champions League football.

“You hear the music and you get a buzz and a tingle down your spine.”

Leicester skipper Wes Morgan, who held the Premier League trophy aloft this time last year, admits it is now back to reality for the squad.

Morgan said: “We are not in the running for the championship again and we are out of the Champions League, so the ride is over.

“But we can concentrate on the league. There are plenty of games to go and we want to finish on a high.”

He hopes it is not the beginning of the break-up of a side that shocked the world with their romp to the title.

Morgan added: “That is a question for the management or the owners.

“I know everyone loves it here. We are a family here so I am sure everyone wants to stay.”