Leicester City started their first UEFA Champions League campaign in style with a resounding 3-0 win against Club Brugge at the Jan Breydelstadion.
The visitors went ahead through Mark Albrighton, who bundled home from a long throw in the opening minutes. Riyad Mahrez was on hand to double the lead with a superb free kick before sealing the match from the penalty spot after the interval.
Ideal platform for Leicester to attack
After being handed a favourable draw, the Foxes travelled to Belgium implementing their counter attacking game with aplomb.
With less then their fair share of possession Leicester’s direct style of play allowed them to capitalise on their out of form opponents. The third goal provided a prime example of this, as Club Brugge held possession, an error was forced with Jamie Vardy exploding into space to earn his side a penalty to seal the victory.
It is common to see away sides play with a counter attacking approach, few do it better then Leicester City as the Premier League champions started their European adventure in style.
REVIEW | CR7 left it late, before Portuguese hearts were broken in stoppage time. #UCL #RMUCL https://t.co/14s3iMssJQ
— Outside90 (@Outside90) September 14, 2016
Day out for Drinkwater
The Leicester City central-midfielder was a controlling presence in the middle of the park for the Foxes.
Drinkwater was noticeably under less pressure then in the rough and tumble of the Premier League which enabled him to influence the match as he pleased.
The 26-year-old was able to implement a wide range of passing to launch Leicester attacks, while an audacious left foot volley from distance forced a strong saved by Ludovic Butelle in the Brugge goal.
It was a markedly improved performance from his companion in midfield as Daniel Amartay shielded the defence, allowing the Englishman to impact proceedings further up the field.
Mahrez on the spot
The Algerian held his nerve from the penalty spot after missing three of his last four spot kicks.
It was somewhat of a quiet night for the fleet-footed winger as rarely saw the ball on the counter attack, yet still managed to show his class with a well placed free kick finding the back of the net.
It shows just how vital the current PFA Player of the Year is to Leicester with an over-reliance on the attacker set to limit Leicester ahead of a long campaign.
REVIEW | He's back… and netting hat-tricks. #UCL #MCIBMG https://t.co/0pFEf6VQQg
— Outside90 (@Outside90) September 14, 2016
Subdued performance from Slimani
The £29m recruit from Sporting Lisbon was largely subdued on debut, completing just over 60 minutes before being substituted.
He won his fair share of aerial duals whilst providing the occasional flash of his talents with his creative abilities on show. It will take some time for the marksman to get comfortable in his new surroundings. As his team largely played on the counter attack through the speed of Vardy it is rather difficult to judge his performance too harshly.
Although all eyes will be on the Algerian, as Leicester City host Burnley this weekend.
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