Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel (right) celebrates after saving a penalty with Wes Morgan during the Champions League Round-of-16 encounter at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday. Pics/Getty Images
London: Kasper Schmeichel revealed his relief after Leicester reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Foxes kept their European dream alive on Tuesday after Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton scored to complete a 2-0 win over Sevilla and send them through 3-2 on aggregate following last month’s 2-1 defeat in Spain.
Sevilla’s Samir Nasri (left) headbutts Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy on Tuesday
Samir Nasri was sent off after clashing with Jamie Vardy minutes before Steven N’Zonzi’s penalty was saved by Schmeichel and boss Jorge Sampaoli was sent to the stands.
Tough road ahead
The Foxes could face holders Real Madrid, Barcelona or Juventus next month but Schmeichel was more concerned about edging past Sevilla.
“There was so much relief when the final whistle went. It was an amazing evening, I’m proud of all the boys. The fans were absolutely magnificent and it was a great atmosphere,” Schmeichel said
Schmeichel conceded a second-half penalty, bringing down Vitolo, but saved N’Zonzi’s weak effort — his second spot kick stop of the tie after denying Joaquin Correa in Spain.
“I can’t see how it’s a penalty but it was given and you have to move on and try to save it,” he said.
Super intensity
“It (the clean sheet) is a testament to the boys, we played really well in the first half and it was always going to be tough to keep that intensity. We should have shut the game out but it was a great performance all round,” he said.
Morgan opened the scoring after 27 minutes, with Albrighton scoring in the second half to help Leicester win.
‘Juventus must avoid dangerous Leicester’
Gianluigi Buffon
Turin (Italy): Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is worried about the possibility of the Italian giants being drawn to play Leicester in the quarter-finals. Paulo Dybala scored a penalty to help Juve advance on 3-0 aggregate. “I would like to avoid Leicester. They’re a dangerous side, they have the ability to hurt you if you take the game to them. You have everything to lose against them,” said Buffon.
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