Gary Lineker shared his excitement on Twitter at being back in a stadium full of supporters cheering on their side as Leicester City drew with Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Foxes welcomed Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri to the King Power Stadium to begin their Group C campaign. Ayoze Perez sent the East Midlands into delirium after scoring in the ninth-minute, before Harvey Barnes doubled their lead twenty-minutes after the break.
But Victor Osimhen spoilt Brendan Rodger’s party with goals in the 69th and 87th-minutes for a brace and a draw. Dropping points will have frustrated Leicester, yet they can take confidence in threatening to beat Napoli. The Azzurri are unbeaten in Serie A this season.
Lineker watched Leicester challenge Napoli from the King Power stands with his sons after leaving his BT Sport role. The Leicester-born star turned TV presenter stepped down from hosting the broadcaster’s coverage in May to follow the Foxes on their European tour.
Lineker fronted BT’s Champions League coverage for six-years but left to follow Leicester as a fan with his sons. And, after a year-and-a-half of travelling to behind-closed-doors games, was delighted to be back among supporters on Thursday night at home to Napoli.
“Such a buzz, being in a full stadium, cheering on your team… especially when they’re winning,” Lineker wrote as Leicester led Napoli. “Come on you Foxes.”
The end result of 2-2 failed to dampen Lineker’s spirits, either, with the 60-year-old adding: “Cracking game of football. Some excellent goals, two very good sides, even the referee couldn’t spoil it. Wouldn’t be at all surprised if Napoli win Serie A.”
Can Leicester top Napoli to win Europa League group?
Leicester, and Lineker, would have been thrilled had they held on to beat Napoli in their opening Europa League game. They now sit level with the Azzurri in second, behind Legia Warsaw after the Polish outfit beat Spartak Moscow 1-0.
Napoli will pose a real test to Leicester in their bid to top Group C with Spalletti’s tenure off to a near-perfect start. The Foxes were the first side to deny the 62-year-old a win since he replaced Gennaro Gattuso in May. Taking all three-points in their first three league games.
The Azzurri also beat Juventus 2-1 last Saturday to travel to the King Power brimming with confidence. While Leicester lost to Manchester City at the weekend, to sit just ninth in the Premier League table. They will now hope to get back winning against Brighton this Sunday.
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