They can’t do it can they?
We’re asking ourselves the same questions as last season with Leicester City as the Foxes have strode into the knockout stages of the Champions League at an absolute canter.
They have never looked out of place in the tournament so far and now they can look forward to playing some of the best sides in Europe in the new year as they qualify as group leaders with one game to go.
The deal was sealed thanks to goals from Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez in the first half and, despite a second half strike from Jose Izquierdo for Club Brugge, it never really looked in doubt.
Plenty, then, that Foxes fans will want to remember from this one and so here are five fantastic images to help preserve the memories…
Okazaki opens the scoring
It really was a sublime finish by Okazaki at the near post as he wrapped his left foot around Christian Fuchs cross and caressed it into the top of the net.
It was a goal more than worthy of the level Leicester are playing at and shows that they do belong amongst some of the European regulars, no matter who they are. The Foxes may never get to this stage again but they are surely making every effort to make this journey last for as long as possible.
Leicester together in Europe
Whilst the Foxes have really struggled in the Premier League they have been absolutely fantastic in Europe this season and have deserved the results they’ve got so far.
Whilst it appears on the league front they have been found out and teams now know how to stop them, things are very different in the Champions League with that element of surprise and unknown still very much alive and kicking. The club still has that togetherness from last season so who knows what they can do.
Ranieri gets it right
Whilst Ranieri has come in for some criticism from some quarters for his decisions in the Premier League this season he’s got it absolutely spot on in the Champions League and so it proved once again.
You get the feeling that the Italian genuinely thinks the Foxes can do something in this competition with the way he sets this side up and seems to prioritise it. And, after last season, you can’t exactly bet against them doing just that right now.
Mahrez back to scoring ways
Riyad Mahrez has had a bit of a quiet season this year, particularly after being so sparkling last season, but he’s been pretty decent in the Champions League and it’s fitting that he scored tonight.
A cool as you like penalty from the Algerian put the Foxes 2-0 up against the Belgian side as the King Power Stadium went up a few more decibels. He wanted to play on the biggest stage this season and, to be fair, he’s certainly made himself at home.
Brugge take Leicester’s record
The one blot, if there can be one considering the feat that Leicester have achieved, is that they no longer have that run of clean sheets to their name.
Jose Izquierdo scored a powerful strike shortly after the second half resumed in a wake up call for the Foxes. They’ll be undoubtedly annoyed they conceded but, ultimately, they’ll wake up tomorrow morning knowing that they are in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
