Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri preparing to pull off Mission Impossible… The Champions League sequel
Foxes manager says his underdogs will need a 'big fairytale' to pull off a shock in Europe ahead of Bruges clash
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CLAUDIO RANIERI will lead his Leicester giant-killers into their first ever Champions’ League tie in Bruges with orders to pull off Mission Impossible … the SEQUEL!
The wily old Italian will be in charge for his 45th Champions’ League tie in Bruges’ Jan Breyden Stadium tonight, four years after losing out to Marseille in the last 16 of the competition with Inter Milan.
However despite leading 5,000-1 shots Leicester to last season’s title, Ranieri claimed there was no way his Foxes could catch Europe’s elite cold by lifting club football’s biggest prize.
“I think we wrote a fantastic fairytale last season,” said Ranieri. “Nobody, even us, believed it could be possible at the beginning.
“But to win the Champions’ League is impossible. There are so many big teams involved in this competition.
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“To win the Champions’ League we have to write another big fairytale … the second story!
“I say it is impossible but Leicester showed the impossible IS possible last season. I still love to laugh about it. Yes, Leicester won the Premier League but it is behind us now.
“In the Champions’ League Leicester and Rostov are the only teams who have never been here before.
“Is another fairytale possible for a small club? Why not? Our fairytale wasn’t only about sport, it is about life.
“If you believe good things can happen, it can happen. If you don’t believe it cannot.
“I think Bruges can win the Champions’ League, also Rostov.
“Of course we want to show our best, our desire is to win, but we have to show respect and stay calm. Some people say Leicester can win the group but hey, all the other teams have a lot of experience.
“Porto has a lot of experience, Brugge is one of the best teams in Europe and Copenhagen is used to playing in the Champions League. Only Leicester is not used to this.”
Only nine of the 46 Champions’ League debutants have even made it out of the group stages and to the knockout stages since 2002.
However captain Wes Morgan knows the impossible does happen. During his time at Nottingham Forest there was a visible reminder in the shape of two replica European Cups – won by Brian Clough at the first attempt.
Asked if he believed Ranieri could repeat the feat with Leicester, the 32-year-old replied: “Why not?
“Nobody thought we could win the Premier League so I’ll answer that question with: why not?
“We know it’s not going to be easy but we had a fantastic season and if we can get out of the group it will be fantastic and we’ll take it one step at a time from there.
“It’s news to me that we are favourites to win the group because there are big teams with big experience. But our style is different and I’m not sure many teams will be prepared for it.
“If the other clubs take us lightly it’s only to our advantage. I’m sure that won’t be the case but if teams look on us as a weaker team I don’t think that would be wise.”
Morgan’s confidence brought a huge smile to Ranieri’s face but only seven Leicester players have ever experienced the Champions’ League.
Of those, only Christian Fuchs, Daniel Amartey and Robert Huth are likely to start.
The Italian said: “It’s good when the players believe in something. I love to laugh but my players only know the Champions’ League by watching on TV.
“We have to change some small things for the Champions’ League but we cannot change our style. If we don’t play our style we lose the Leicester way.”
Ranieri admits he wants a top two finish in the group but even third place would be acceptable.
“Of course we want to go into the next round of the Champions League,” he said. “If it's not possible, we want to go to the Europa League.
“There are two big positions to get to the knock out stages. Also the third position is good for us because we need good experience in Europe. It is important for us to go into December.”
Morgan revealed he would normally be round at one of his mates houses having a Champions’ League night this evening – but he was delighted to turn party-pooper on this occasion.
He said: “When the Champions’ League anthem starts up it's going to be a special moment. Normally I'm at home watching on TV and that music sends a shiver down your spine so I'm looking forward to walking out and listening to the music for real.
“I'd normally be at one of my mates’ house. Normally for the big Champion’ League games we'd chill and just enjoy it. Now I’ll be playing in it.
“At 32, I’m not getting any younger so I’ve got to make the most of it.
Ranieri is at the other end of the scale.
“It is 45 matches for me tomorrow,” he said. “Every time is different, every time is emotional. I am very proud to come here with Leicester. We have to show our football to be happy.
“I missed the Champions League. It is one of the best competitions in the world.”