Champions League ‘Massive’ For Drinkwater

- The Foxes get their Group G campaign underway at Club Brugge on Wednesday evening 

- Drinkwater wants his side to secure qualification to the knockout stages of the competition as soon as possible 

Playing in the UEFA Champions League is a massive achievement for Leicester City, according to midfielder Danny Drinkwater. 

The champions of England take on 2015/16 Jupiler Pro League winners Club Brugge in their debut Champions League fixture at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Wednesday evening. 

While Champions League football is new to his side, Drinkwater wants the Foxes to make their mark on what he believes is the biggest club competition in modern football. 

“We’re all excited because it’s a big achievement for the Club and for the players to be a part for it is huge,” Drinkwater said ahead of the clash in Bruges. 

“As a team, we’ve kind of forced our way into it having had such a good season last season. We deserve to be in it and if we can put our stamp on Champions League football, it’d be perfect. 

“It’s a massive achievement. We’ve set a new target in the Club’s mind and we’ve reached a goal that probably thought they could never get to so early. 

“All credit to the lads and the staff that have helped along the way because it’s a huge tournament. It’s probably the biggest competition in club football and we’re there now and hopefully we can stay there.” 

Drinkwater went on to explain that a positive result in Bruges would set his side up well, as they aim to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League by qualifying from Group F. 

The England international said of Wednesday’s encounter: “It’s going to be tough. No game in the Champions League will be easy so we’re expecting a tough game. We can work on their game and show them what we’re made of. 

“If we can go there and get a draw then we’ve got a point on the board, but if we can get a win it’d be even better. If we reach the point of getting to the next stage as early as we can, it helps us as a squad. Any point away from home in the Champions League is massive.”