Hello, and welcome to
Sports Mole's live coverage of the second leg of the
Champions League quarter-final between
Leicester City and
Atletico Madrid.
At the start of the season, any progression past the group stages of the Champions League would been considered a bonus for Leicester City but after they successfully overturned a deficit against Sevilla, anything was possible. A journey which has included trips to Bruges, Copenhagen, Porto, Seville and Madrid could end this evening but the Foxes are not thinking in that mindset. They face a one-goal deficit this evening but they consider themselves to be very much in this tie. Can the unthinkable continue to happen? We will find out over the course of the next few hours.
The problem which Leicester could have this evening is that they no longer possess a surprise factor. For all the adulation which came from the Sevilla comeback, the downside is that the performance created attention and the blueprint from that game will not be effective in this one because Atletico are aware of what they are up against. We are yet to see
Craig Shakespeare fail to win in the East Midlands, but he also hasn't experienced a scenario like this one and he is going to have to come up with something special against last season's runners-up.
Anyway, without further ado, let's crack on with the team news. The big question mark was over captain Wes Morgan. Has he made the starting lineup?
LEICESTER CITY XI: Schmeichel, Simpson, Benalouane, Morgan, Fuchs, Mahrez, Ndidi, Drinkwater, Albrighton, Okazaki, Vardy
LEICESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Zieler, Chilwell, Musa, King, Amartey, Gray, Ulloa
ATLETICO MADRID XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savic, Filipe Luis; Gimenez, Gabi, Koke, Niguez; Carrasco, Griezmann
ATLETICO MADRID SUBSTITUTES: Moya, Lucas, Thomas, Nico Gaitan, Correa, Gameiro, Torres
The answer to the question mark over Morgan is that he does indeed make the team this evening. Shakespeare had said that he needed to make a late check on his skipper but he is fit enough to take the place of the suspended Robert Huth. The rest of the team is the same from last week in Spain, while Ahmed Musa returns to the bench with Islam Slimani out injured.
As for Atletico,
Diego Simeone has decided to drop
Fernando Torres down to the substitutes' bench with the more defensively-minded Jose Gimenez featuring instead. The rest of the team remains the same from last week, but Kevin Gameiro is able to make his return on the bench.
Leicester may have only lost 1-0 in Madrid but the stats tell a different story. It's often argued that they don't matter, but they do in this case before if they don't change, Atletico will progress. As well as having just 32% of possession - which is the norm for the Foxes - they failed to register a single shot on target. They also won just one corner. They will naturally try to play with a quicker tempo and get more shots on goal this evening but it highlights the difference in quality. Leicester sometimes beat teams because of their work-rate and togetherness, but Atletico also possess those qualities and Leicester won't break through if they cannot improve their efforts with the ball.
He has spent much of the last few weeks in and out of the side, but the absence of Slimani is a massive blow for Leicester. He hasn't necessarily set the world alight with his goal return since Leicester shelled out a club-record fee for his signature but he could have had a significant impact in the final third of the match. Leicester still have Demarai, Musa and Leonardo Ulloa to call upon, but they do not offer what the Algerian does.
It will be interesting to see whether Shakespeare is prepared to take a risk on another of the club's summer signings. Musa has done very little since being signed for £16.6m, with his only contributions in front of goal being a screamer against Crystal Palace, a close-range effort against Tottenham Hotspur and a double against Everton in the FA Cup back in January. He had been excellent during pre-season, but he just has not adjusted to English football and it is debatable whether he has the belief to influence this game in a positive way should be he brought on. He has played just 101 minutes since the middle of February.
A quick look at the Atletico side will tell you that Simeone has tightened things up in the middle of the pitch. That's not a good thing for Leicester, who usually prosper when exploiting space. It's a smart move from Simeone, who will back his team to see this tie out without conceding a goal. They have kept five clean sheets in their last seven outings. Good luck, Vardy and co...
PREDICTION! As much as we want to back Leicester to progress, we just can't justify it. This is potentially a once-in-a-lifetime game for the Foxes and they will throw everything at it, but Atletico have too much class about them. If the home team score the opening goal, then who knows, but we think Atletico will run out 2-1 winners on the night.
This isn't the only Champions League contest being played this evening. Atletico's city rivals Real are looking to see out their tie with Bayern Munich. They hold a 2-1 lead - and two away goals - from the first match in Germany. You can keep up-to-date with the game in the Bernabeu by
clicking here.
Here come the two teams to a crescendo of noise and a display of flags which looks simply spectacular. This is some occasion for "little-old" Leicester, isn't it? Maybe they belong on this stage and we are going to see something out of the ordinary.
Atletico get us underway.
It is a very sharp start from Atletico who put together a string of passes before Filipe Luis fails to latch onto a through-ball from Griezmann.
Leicester finally have their first bit of joy at the other end of the pitch but a poor pass around 30 yards on goal sees the move break down. Atletico remain on top and look perfectly comfortable in the King Power atmosphere.
The home side are seeing much more of the ball than in the first leg, but they aren't posing much more of a threat in the final third. Atletico look so compact. The partnership of Godin and Savic are going to be a tough nut to crack.
Danger for Leicester. Griezmann and Carrasco run rings around a few Leicester players before Carrasco's cross is well snuffed out for a corner.
The corner hit towards the near post is cleared by Drinkwater. Leicester are having to endure a bit more pressure now. Again, Atletico look very composed and have instantly settled.
SHOT! A long ball sees Atletico have three on four against the Leicester defence but Saul decides to shoot from long range, scuffing his left-footed effort wide of the post.
I imagine that the majority of the Leicester players and staff were aware of the challenge which awaited them this evening and it is currently very bit as hard as they would have expected. There isn't really much going on in that area of the pitch so far.
CHANCE! Much more encouraging for Leicester. Vardy is played in behind the Atletico defence before a low cross finds the run of Okazaki. It is a tough chance, however, and he fires over from 12 yards.
Leicester have an opportunity to get the ball into the box from a free kick, Mahrez's set piece is too close to Oblak. It's a missed chance. Moments after that, Mahrez also failed to find Vardy with a pass, which came too late.
GOAL! Leicester City 0-1 Atletico Madrid (Niguez)
Disaster for Leicester City. Morgan does well to stop a through-ball but his interception sets up a chance for a cross to be delivered. Filipe Luis finds Saul at the back post and his header from 12 yards is powered into the far corner. Leicester need three goals to remain in this tie.
First and foremost, Leicester cannot afford to concede another goal in this game but they also need to throw caution to the wind. They are still to have a shot on target in this tie. They have responded well but they are not getting into the penalty area.
SHOT! Atletico know that they can effectively seal their progress with one more goal and Saul tries to do that from distance. However, his first-time strike is straight at Schmeichel.
SHOT! There's that shot on target. A cross from Albrighton is only half-cleared to Mahrez, but he doesn't quite time his volley and it rolls through to Oblak. Better, though.
We are beginning to witness a masterclass in build-up play from Atletico. The end product isn't necessarily there, but they are keeping Leicester on the back foot and that is all they have to do at this stage.
Fuchs has a chance to get the ball into the box with a couple of long throws but they are easily dealt with by Atletico. Moments ago, Schmeichel was fortunate not to concede a penalty for a trip on Carrasco. I'm not sure how the official behind the goal has missed it.
HALF TIME: Leicester City 0-1 Atletico Madrid
The half-time whistle goes at the King Power Stadium and Saul's goal means that Leicester probably have only 45 minutes left of Champions League football left this season. Atletico have been class tonight and given their defensive record, it would take the miracle of all miracles for Leicester to progress from this stage.
Two changes for Leicester. Ben Chilwell and Leonardo Ulloa are replacing Benalouane and Okazaki. Will that make a difference? Let's wait and see.
Leicester get us back underway.
Leicester are straight onto the offensive and they win a corner within the first 90 seconds of the restart. It comes to nothing, with Drinkwater eventually volleying into the stands, but it's a positive start.
This is absolutely outstanding from Griezmann. He accelerates away from the Leicester defence before sliding the ball across goal for Carrasco, but Albrighton gets back to put off the winger and the Foxes survive. Griezmann is showing what all of the fuss is about.
SHOT! My word, Chilwell comes close to an equaliser for Leicester. The ball fell invitingly for him inside the penalty area but his left-foot volley from 16 yards cleared the crossbar by no more than a yard.
Leicester have started the second half very well but Atletico don't look too flustered. It is going to be hard work scoring one, never mind three.
SUBSTITUTION! Atletico are being forced into a change, with Lucas Hernandez replacing Juanfran.
Mahrez is extremely lucky to remain on the pitch. He goes in late on Saul and it's studs to thigh. Saul is fine but the Foxes player could have been sent off there.
GOAL! Leicester City 1-1 Atletico Madrid (Vardy)
Lift off at the King Power! Surely only a consolation. Surely...?
The ball arrives at Chilwell's feet at the back post and after his shot is blocked, Vardy is given the chance to score from six yards and he sends his shot into the roof of the net. Leicester believe.
We could suggest that Leicester need to have a few minutes off and settle things down, but it doesn't quite work like that tonight. They need to continue what they are doing because Atletico are unsettled at the back. If Leicester score again...blimey.
CHANCE! It's nearly a second for Leicester. The ball falls perfectly for Ulloa but his goalbound volley is superbly blocked by Hernandez. Oblak would have had to save that, had the defender not got in the way.
CHANCE! My word. What a block from Savic. Vardy has a free shot on goal from 12 yards but the defender gets himself in the way. That was going in the corner.
SUBSTITUTION! Simeone has seen enough. On comes
Fernando Torres for Carrasco.
A quick word on Chilwell - he has been inspired in this half. Shakespeare may have stumbled onto something here because he is impressing at left-wing back.
SHOT! We have seen this combination before. A Mahrez cross finds Vardy but his flick from 12 yards is too close to Oblak.
SUBSTITUTION! Third and final change for Atletico, with Angel Correa coming on for Filipe Luis.
SHOT! Leicester win a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and it is in range for both Mahrez and Fuchs. It is Mahrez who takes it, but his curling effort goes just over. This is some effort from Leicester.
Just the 10 minutes to go for Leicester. Time is running out but they are still giving it everything. One more goal would make for the most thrilling of conclusions.
SUBSTITUTION! Morgan has pulled his hamstring in trying to make a tackle and Daniel Amartey is being introduced in his place.
Leicester are slowly but surely running out of steam here. I will reiterate that it has been some effort in this second half. They couldn't have given anymore.
There will be four minutes of added-on time. I think this tie is all but over now.
One last corner for Leicester, which is taken by Fuchs, but Albrighton's eventual shot is claimed by Oblak.
FULL TIME: Leicester City 1-1 Atletico Madrid
The full-time whistle goes at the King Power Stadium and that is it for Leicester City as far as this season's Champions League is concerned. They gave it everything but ultimately came up short against a team who will believe they can return to these shores in June for the final.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match but we hope that you can stick around for all of the reaction which is to follow. It has been an historic period for Leicester City football club, but maybe this was the night where they went back to some normality. Only time will tell. Goodbye for now.