After achieving the impossible in the 2015/16 season, how did Leicester City cope year as the Premier League champions?
Achieving a dream that many thought impossible, Leicester City turned the footballing world on its head in 2016, with their miraculous Premier League winning campaign. However, the 16/17 season has proved to be testing for the Foxes so far, as Ranieri’s side struggles to balance League commitments with their Champions League fixtures.
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri
Despite many people claiming their season was about to drop off, Leicester continued their remarkable run of form in 2015 straight into the new year, winning 5 of their 8 Premier League fixtures over the course of January and February, including a 2-0 win against Liverpool and a 1-3 away win at Manchester City, with Leicester City pair Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy in fine form.
Jamie Vardy celebrates with Riyad Mahrez after scoring the first goal for Leicester City
Through March into April, Leicester’s run improved and improved as the Foxes went on a 5 game winning streak. By the 2nd of May, just after a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, the impossible was finally confirmed. Leicester City were champions of England.
Leicester City on their Premier League title winners parade
Finishing atop the first division of English football for the first time in the club’s history, Leicester City had stunned the world of football with their counter-attacking style, with players like Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez picking up their plaudits for their fine link-up play, goals and tricks.
Leicester City with the trophy on the bus during the parade
Going into the summer, Leicester City knew they would need to strengthen their squad as they prepared for a tough season of both Premier League and Champions League fixtures. The Foxes moved quickly to reinforce though, bringing in Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani, and CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa.
Leicester City’s Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez applaud fans
However, their title defence didn’t start too smoothly, as the Foxes lost their first game of the season to newly promoted Hull City (2-1).
Hull’s Samuel Clucas and Hull City’s Robert Snodgrass in action with Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater
The result was set to be an indicator as to how hard Leicester were going to find the 16/17 season. Club’s appeared to have worked out the Foxes’ system, and were working hard to stop them playing their counter attacking football. A heavy defeat to Liverpool (4-1) had Leicester fans worrying.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane in action with Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel
However, despite their poor start in the league, Leicester’s Champions League campaign was off to a bang, as the Foxes marked their first ever appearance in the competition with a 0-3 away win against Club Brugge, thanks to goals from Marc Albrighton and Riyad Mahrez.
Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez celebrates with team mates after scoring their second goal against Club Brugge
Another Champions League win against Portuguese giants, FC Porto thanks to a goal from new signing Slimani, saw Leicester go on a similar run in the Champions League as they had in the league last year, eventually winning their group after not losing any of their games.
Leicester City’s Islam Slimani scores their first goal
As Leicester now move into the next stages of their Champions League adventure, they are faced with a tricky task. To continue this amazing run or Europe? Or focus on improving their stuttering league form? Either way, it’s going to be another exciting year for Leicester City fans in 2017.
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