Champions League: Group G Preview
The draw itself was made in Monaco and it didn’t disappoint, with Claudio Ranieri’s men handed six exciting fixtures against opposition from Portugal, Belgium and Denmark.
City avoided the tournament’s top seeds after winning last season’s Premier League to go into Pot 1, but they still face teams with plenty of European pedigree in the form of Porto, Club Brugge and FC Copenhagen.
Their first-ever fixture in the competition will take place in Club Brugge’s Jan Breydel Stadium on Wednesday 14 September before the Foxes return to Leicester for their first home game in the tournament against Porto on Tuesday 27 September.
The two-time European champions are also the opposition for City’s final Group Stage fixture on Wednesday 7 December, where they will be hoping to advance to the knockout stages at the first time of asking.
Below, we take a look a closer look at Leicester City’s Champions League opponents:
Porto [PORTUGAL]
Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo
Stadium: Estadio do Dragao (50,092)
Distance: 866 miles
RECENT HISTORY
Porto are one of three dominant teams in their domestic league alongside Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, having secured 27 league titles in their history. The most recent of those came in 2012/13.
They have also enjoyed success on the European stage, winning five trophies as well as two Intercontinental Cups. The won the European Cup and Super Cup in 1987 before lifting the Champions League under Jose Mourinho in 2004. Their first UEFA Cup triumph came in 2003 against Celtic before lifting the Europa League in 2011.
This season marks the 21st time that Porto have competed in the Group Stages of the Champions League – a record they share with Barcelona and Real Madrid.
IN EUROPE:
2015/16: CL Group Stage/EL Round of 32
2014/15: CL QF
2013/14: CL Group Stage/EL QF
2012/13: CL Round of 16
2011/12: CL Group Stage/EL Round of 32
VS. ENGLISH OPPOSITION
Chelsea 2-0 Porto
9 December, 2015
Champions League Group Stage
Porto 2-1 Chelsea
29 September, 2015
Champions League Group Stage
Manchester City 4-0 Porto
22 February, 2012
Europa League Round of 32
Porto 1-2 Manchester City
16 February, 2012
Europa League Round of 32
Arsenal 5-0 Porto
9 March, 2010
Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg
Club Brugge [BELGIUM]
Manager: Michael Preud’homme
Stadium: Jan Breydel Stadium (29,042)
Distance: 209 miles
RECENT HISTORY
The closest to Leicester in terms of distance of all the teams that they could have been drawn against, Club Brugge have a proud history in European competition having reached two European Finals – the 1978 European Cup and the 1976 UEFA Cup. They lost both finals to Liverpool.
Club Brugge are the current league champions in their country after securing their 14th title last season – their first in over a decade. The team are the best supported in Belgium and regularly enjoy sold out games in league and cup.
This season will mark the club’s 44th in European competition. They have more than 200 wins to their name and are one of the most experienced teams in European football.
IN EUROPE:
2015/16: CL Play-Off/EL Group Stage
2014/15: EL QF
2013/14: EL Third Qualifying Round
2012/13: EL Group Stage
2011/12: EL Round of 32
VS. ENGLISH OPPOSITION
Club Brugge 0-4 Manchester United
26 August, 2015
Champions League Play-Off Second Leg
Manchester United 3-1 Club Brugge
18 August, 2015
Champions League Play-Offs
Club Brugge 2-2 Newcastle United
8 November, 2012
Champions League Group Stage
Newcastle 1-0 Club Brugge
25 October, 2012
Champions League Group Stage
Birmingham City 2-2 Club Brugge
3 November, 2011
Europa League Group Stage
FC Copenhagen [DENMARK]
Manager: Stale Solbakken
Stadium: Parken Stadium (38,065)
Distance: 594 miles
RECENT HISTORY
Founded just 24 years ago in 1992, FC Copenhagen have won 11 Danish league titles to become the country’s most successful team and remain the only Danish team to reach the Champions League knockout stages.
The steadily built their reputation and attendances increased throughout the 1990s. Roy Hodgson had a spell in charge from 2000. Their first Champions League campaign arrived in 2006 - beating Manchester United 1-0 in the process.
Last season the club secured the league title by a margin of nine points having finished second to Midtjylland the previous campaign. Their supporters are renowned for imaginative and creative tifo displays.
IN EUROPE:
2015/16: EL Third Qualifying Round
2014/15: CL Play-Off/EL Group Stage
2013/14: CL Group Stage
2012/13: CL Play-Off/EL Group Stage
2011/12: CL Play-Off/EL Group Stage
VS. ENGLISH OPPOSITION
Chelsea 0-0 FC Copenhagen
16 March, 2011
Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg
FC Copenhagen 0-2 Chelsea
22 February, 2011
Champions League Round of 16 First Leg
Manchester City 2-1 FC Copenhagen
26 February, 2009
Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg
FC Copenhagen 2-2 Manchester City
19 February, 2009
Europa League Round of 32 First Leg
FC Copenhagen 1-0 Manchester United
1 November, 2006
Champions League Group Stage
WHEN ARE THE GAMES?
Game 1:
Wednesday 14 September
Club Brugge vs. Leicester City
Game 2:
Tuesday 27 September
Leicester City vs. FC Porto
Game 3:
Tuesday 18 October
Leicester City vs. FC Copenhagen
Game 4:
Wednesday 2 November
FC Copenhagen vs. Leicester City
Game 5:
Tuesday 22 November
Leicester City vs. Club Brugge
Game 6:
Wednesday 7 December
FC Porto vs. Leicester City
WHEN CAN I BUY TICKETS?
From Friday, all Fox Members will be able to purchase a Three-Game Package for Leicester City’s 2016/17 Champions League home fixtures. Season Ticket Holders had an exclusive period to secure their seats that ended on Sunday 21 August at 11pm.
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