UCL: Leicester City v Sevilla preview

Leicester City v Sevilla preview

Leicester City will not sit back in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 tie second leg at home to Spanish side Sevilla as they look to overturn a 2-1 deficit, manager Craig Shakespeare said on Monday.

Sevilla dominated the first leg last month but were made to pay for failing to convert their chances after striker Jamie Vardy scored an away goal for the English champions.

"I'm expecting the team to really play off the front foot," Shakespeare, who was appointed Leicester manager for the rest of the season on Sunday, said in his pre-match press conference.

"That is not saying we are going to be open, because we know Seville have got some world-class players, but it makes for an interesting game. We knew by getting the away goal it gave us a great opportunity."

Sevilla, meanwhile, go into the match on the back of consecutive 1-1 draws against Alaves and Leganes which have seen their La Liga title hopes fade.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli rested several first-team players for Saturday's home game with Leganes, but said his team would need to raise their game substantially for the reunion with Leicester.

"With a performance like that we will find it very difficult to get through in the Champions League," said the Argentine, who has been strongly linked with the vacant coach's role at Barcelona.

"They are strong opponents who will punish mistakes. We were clear that we had to think about two teams for two games with very different obligations.

"We have to prepare the best team to be able to qualify in such a difficult game against an excellent opponent."

 

Nampalys Mendy is sidelined for the second leg at the King Power Stadium after the midfielder sustained a knee injury in training.

Molla Wague is also sidelined with a dislocated shoulder and is unlikely to play again this season having only joined on loan - and made one appearance - in January.

Sevilla are at full strength, barring long-term absentees Benoit Tremoulinas and Michael Krohn-Dehli, while Spain international Vitolo returns following a domestic suspension.

Sampaoli is expected to recall key midfielders Steven N'Zonzi and Samir Nasri, both of whom have Premier League experience.