Leicester City vs Atletico Madrid
UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal Second Leg
Date: Tuesday, 18th April 2017
Kick-off at 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
Venue: King Power Stadium (Leicester).
Leicester v Atletico: Champions League preview
Aggregate: Leicester 0-1 Atletico
Leicester City host Atletico Madrid at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night in the 2nd leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
The Foxes suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in the 1st leg in Madrid. Antoine Griezmann calmly converted from the spot after being awarded a controversial penalty.
Although they failed to register an important away goal, the tie is far from over. Leicester eliminated Spanish opposition in the previous round after losing the first leg in Spain.
Craig Shakespeare’s side looked set to return to winning ways at the weekend but blew a 2-0 lead at Crystal Palace. Jamie Vardy doubled Leicester’s lead after Robert Huth’s opener before the Eagles clawed their way back to 2-2.
Having won their previous six on the bounce, Leicester are now without a win in their last three matches.
Atletico enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over bottom side Osasuna on Saturday with goals from Yannick Ferreira Carrasco (2) and Felipe Luis. The win extends Atletico’s unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 matches.
Preview
Leicester's big issues are in defence, where manager Craig Shakespeare is lacking healthy centre-backs. The situation wasn't helped when Younes Benalouane was withdrawn during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace in the Premier League, per Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail.
However, Rob Tanner of the Leicester Mercury provided a positive update on the player:
anner's note about skipper Wes Morgan returning to training is significant, as Leicester need the 33-year-old's brawn and experience against Griezmann's shrewd movement off the ball.
Yet James Sharpe of the Leicester Mercury has wondered whether it is worth risking a key defender who has been struggling to overcome a back problem: "The type of injury it is, a nerve problem, has meant that Morgan has been unable to train for most of that month, and has only just started to get out on the grass let alone train with his team-mates."
However, risking Morgan is a gamble Shakespeare may have to take, as fellow central defender Robert Huth is set to miss out through suspension. A threadbare back four against Griezmann would be a recipe for disaster for Leicester.
Gameiro has the pace to catch out a Foxes team needing to chase a goal on the break.
Leicester have the right formula for winning in Europe, namely a solid defence and terrific pace on the counter. However, Atleti know the same formula well and are masters of protecting a lead.
The Foxes' fitness woes in defence should tip the scales toward Los Rojiblancos, with Griezmann a good bet to again prove decisive.
