Leicester City battled to a tremendous 1-0 loss at Atletico Madrid that keeps them firmly in the tie. Like 20-years ago there was penalty contention as Antoine Grizemann's winner was from a foul that wasn't inside the box, but the Foxes can have no complaints about defeat and by a scoreline they will ultimately be delighted with.
Positives
Leicester failed to cave under considerable Atleti pressure. They defended valiantly even without captain Wes Morgan. There were no sloppy or costly errors and even though City conceded from the spot the backline will almost feel like they kept a clean sheet in another loss that to some extent smacks of victory. It wasn't a game full of star individual performers just a gritty, hungry and focused team effort.
Negatives
Unlike away at Sevilla in the previous round, Leicester failed to knick an away goal. Clearly a 2-1 loss is better than a 1-0 defeat on the road, but Craig Shakespeare won't be losing too much sleep over that. The referee, Jonas Eriksson, also counts as a negative. He got the penalty call wrong and denied the Foxes one or two obvious fouls.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Shakespeare got his starting XI spot on. It was the right call to go with Marc Albrighton over Demarai Gray and also to bring Shinji Okazaki back into the side. Dropping into a 4-1-4-1 as opposed to a 4-4-2 also ensured protection and to some extent stifled Atleti, although on a more clinical day the truth is the hosts would have managed more goals.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Kasper Schmeichel, 7 -- Couldn't save a third consecutive Champions League penalty and stood no chance as Koke hit the post early on. Not as busy, though, as most anticipated despite waives of Atleti pressure.
DF Danny Simpson, 7 -- Consistent as ever and had one shot that almost fell into the path of Robert Huth.
DF Robert Huth, 7 -- Picked up a yellow card so will miss the second leg but offered vital leadership and steel in the heart of defence.
DF Yohan Benalouane, 7 -- Booked for a rash sliding challenge on Fernando Torres but far more solid than against Everton. Did well to deny Griezmann a second late on.
DF Christian Fuchs, 6 -- His long throw caused a few problems and he did his best to stop considerable service from the Atleti right.
MF Riyad Mahrez, 6 -- Had a theatrical appeal for a penalty rightly waived away -- one of the few key officiating decisions Leicester can't feel unjust about. Also managed a curling shot that went just wide.
MF Wilfred Ndidi, 7 -- Relished sitting in front of the back four in a 4-1-4-1 and was one of the main reasons why Leicester only conceded once.
MF Danny Drinkwater, 6 -- A relatively quiet game but worked his socks off and barely put a pass astray even if most of them went safe and short.
MF Marc Albrighton, 7 -- Tripped Griezmann for the penalty but the foul was clearly outside the box. Put in a couple of dangerous deliveries but the hosts defended them well.
FW Shinji Okazaki, 6 -- Couldn't buy a decision all night despite being battered and bruised by the end of it.
FW Jamie Vardy, 6 -- Stranded for much of the game and forced to chase lost causes. Nothing more he could have done under testing circumstances.
Substitutes
MF Andy King, 6 -- Came on for Okazaki at half-time and worked equally as selflessly with the added bonus of fresh legs.
FW Islam Slimani, NR -- Replaced a tired and frustrated Vardy to offer Leicester a target man late on to hold up the ball and wind down the clock.