Leicester close on knockout phase after Copenhagen draw
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Updated 02/11/2016 at 22:58 GMT
Champions League, Group B, Telia Parken – FC Copenhagen 0 Leicester City 0
Leicester City's Jamie Vardy with Kasper Schmeichel after the match
Image credit: Reuters
Leicester City had Kasper Schmeichel to thank for pulling off a terrific last minute save as the Foxes closed on the knockout phase of the Champions League with a goalless draw at FC Copenhagen.
Schmeichel was on hand to palm away Andreas Cornelius’ header and was relieved to see Federico Santander then blast wide from a tight angle.
It was the first time on the night that Schmeichel had been called into action on what was, on reflection, a seriously drab affair in Copenhagen. But it is the result that will mean much more than the manner of the result against the Danish champions, who have now lost only two of their 12 home games in the Champions League.
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Leicester City's Kasper Schmeichel in action
Image credit: Reuters
For Leicester, Porto’s 1-0 victory against Club Brugge means they hold a three-point advantage over the Portuguese side and remain in pole position to qualify as group winners with two games remaining.
Leicester's winning streak in Europe stops at three but they still have not conceded a goal in the Champions League.
TALKING POINT
Schmeichel’s save could be crucial. He was once again the hero, making a similarly important save as he did against the same opponents at the King Power. At the end of the day, it could be the difference.
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Leicester City's Kasper Schmeichel applauds their fans after the match
Image credit: Reuters
MAN OF THE MATCH
Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City): For the above reasons. Had nothing to do all match but the sign of a great keeper is to maintain concentration right until the final whistle. Another critical save.
PLAYER RATINGS
FC Copenhagen: Olsen 6; Augustinsson 7, Johansson 6, Jørgensen 6, Ankersen 7; Falk 6, Delaney 7, Kvist 6, Verbič 7; Cornelius 7, Santander 6. Toutouh 6, Kusk 6.
Leicester City: Schmeichel 8, Hernández 6, Huth 7, Morgan 6, Fuchs 7, Drinkwater 7, Amartey 6, Musa 6, Schlupp 6, Mahrez 6, Vardy 6. Subs: Okazaki 7.
KEY MOMENTS
73’ – PENALTY SHOUT! Delaney smashes a shot into the arm of Huth in the box but the referee waves away claims. It certainly hit his arm by his side but he knew little about it.
86’ – CLOSE! Fuchs crosses to Vardy, who nods it across to the charging Okazaki before Kvist hacks it clear.
90’ – SAVE! Schmeichel gets down brilliantly to palm away from Cornelius and Santander can’t follow up, thrashing wide from a tight angle.
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Leicester City's English forward Jamie Vardy (L) vies with FC Copenhagen's Danish defender Mathias Jorgensen during the UEFA Champions League group G football match between FC Copenhagen and Leicester City FC at the Telia Parken stadium in Copenhagen on N
Image credit: AFP
KEY STATS
Leicester City are the first team in Champions League history to keep a clean sheet in each of their first four games in the competition.
Copenhagen have lost only two of their 12 home games in the Champions League (W6 D4 L2).
Leicester City directed just one shot on target in this match – the second competitive game running in which they have done this (also 1 vs Tottenham on Saturday).
FC København have only allowed their opponents seven shots on target in the Champions League this season; fewer than any other team.
English teams have still only lost one of their Champions League games against Danish opposition – winning eight, drawing three and losing one (Man Utd at København in November 2006).
This match saw only three shots on target - the fewest in a Champions League game this season.
MATCH IN A TWEET
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