/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53717851/653377086.0.jpg)
Leicester City, champions of English football, are now through to Europe’s last eight, after a thrilling victory under the lights at the King Power Stadium. It seems almost unfair to give individual ratings after what was such an all-round team performance, but I’m sure we’ll get by.
The collaborative effort was a 10 and don't believe anything otherwise. The fact that Sevilla, a great team contending for their first La Liga title since 45-46, looked barely average at times had nothing to do with any lack of quality on their part. The Foxes hounded them all over the park. Their high intensity style was so ferocious at times that even a team as technically talented as Sevilla were forced into mistake after mistake. It’s little wonder Juventus are running scared.
Kasper Schmeichel - 10
The first keeper ever to save a penalty in both legs of a European Cup tie. I’ve gotta be honest with you, the way he played in both matches he was getting a 10 without that.
Chants of “SCHMEICHEL, SCHEICHEL” rain down from all blue sides of the stadium as the #LCFC keeper dives to his left to save.
— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) March 14, 2017
Danny Simpson - 9
Playing behind Mahrez, who will always be the weakest defensive link, no matter how hard he tries, he was absolutely vital to the pressing system. Also did his share of the work in his own box and whipped in one fantastic cross.
Wes Morgan - 9
Ran a very strong defensive unit throughout and played his part in a clean sheet against strong opposition. If that doesn't deserve a 9 for you, he also scored one of the most important goals in the team’s history.
We will take whoever comes - the captain isn't interested in the outcome of Friday’s draw
Robert Huth - 9
I don't know how it keeps switching on and off, but he looks like a commanding presence at the back. Lost in the penalty save, but he did clear one off the line in the build up to it.
Christian Fuchs - 10
Immense throughout, I thought. His calm head at the back is exactly what was needed as Sevilla sieged our penalty area late on, and he was equally huge in the pressing game earlier. Also managed to be constantly involved on the attacking end throughout, somehow.
Riyad Mahrez - 8
An attack minded winger, who worked his socks off defensively and picked up an assist from a free kick was probably the team’s weakest link. You can see how that would be a hard team to beat.
6 - Riyad Mahrez has been directly involved in six of Leicester's nine Champions League goals this season. Provider.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 14, 2017
Danny Drinkwater - 8
Wasn’t on the ball as much as he’d have liked, but no one was. We played most of the game without the ball, and he did a fantastic job at that, closing down space, winning the ball and supporting the back 4.
Wilfred Ndidi - 9
Everywhere defensively. His work rate is so impressive and he provides height in the midfield that we’ve really lacked. Sevilla passed us off the park in the 1st leg, but in the 2nd it was Ndidi who came out on top in pass completion.
Marc Albrighton - 10
He didn’t cross that much, compared to normal anyway, but he was involved in everything throughout. The defensive work was there as always, but everything he touched seemed to work out in attack, too, including a well taken goal that the team really needed.
I'm lost for words. It's such a fantastic night. We had to work hard against a good team, but we deserved it - too right you did, Marc
Shinji Okazaki - 8
Two things you can never doubt are his smile and his work rate. Both were on full display again. Back to his old role of working himself into the ground for 60 minutes and it certainly worked.
Jamie Vardy - 9
He had 8 players behind him, backing his hard work very very well, but they take their lead in that style from this man and he was at it again. I’m sure he’d have loved to have put away a couple of fairly easy chances that fell to him, but in the end they didn't matter because he inspired the team to such a strong performance.
Islam Slimani - 7
It’s got to be hard to come on into that situation and replicate the intensity of the rest of the team, but I thought he gave it a good go.
Daniel Amartey - 7
Only had to help the team hold out for a few minutes, but he played his part well.
All in all, one of the better performances I’ve seen from this team, and certainly the best in a long while. I’m giving my Man of the Match to Kasper Schmeichel. Without him we might not have made it out of the group, we would’ve been out of the tie after the first leg, Sevilla would have had their away goal after just 4 minutes and an unfortunate (but probably fair) late penalty would have taken that to extra time. None of that happened because Kapser Schmeichel is an unfair advantage.
Of course, they were all great. If you want to put forward the case of your chosen player, on a one-time-only deal I won't argue.