Marc Albrighton

European Record

Leicester City have competed in seven European campaigns, facing the likes of Atlético Madrid, Porto, Sevilla, Napoli, PSV Eindhoven and AS Roma. They reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2016/17 and the last-four of the UEFA Europa Conference League five years later.

Season Opposition Competition Home Away
1961/62 Glenavon European Cup Winners' Cup - Preliminary Round 3-1 W 4-1 W
1961/62 Atlético Madrid European Cup Winners' Cup - First Round 1-1 D 0-2 L
1997/98 Atlético Madrid UEFA Cup - First Round 0-2 L 1-2 L
2000/01 Red Star Belgrade UEFA Cup - First Round 1-1 D 1-3 L
2016/17 Club Brugge UEFA Champions League - Group stage 2-1 W 3-0 W
2016/17 FC Porto UEFA Champions League - Group stage 1-0 W 0-5 L
2016/17 Copenhagen  UEFA Champions League - Group stage 1-0 W 0-0 D
2016/17 FC Sevilla UEFA Champions League - Round of 16 2-0 W 1-2 L
2016/17 Atlético Madrid UEFA Champions League - Quarter-finals 1-1 D 0-1 L
2020/21 Zorya Luhansk UEFA Europa League - Group stage 3-0 W 0-1 L
2020/21 SC Braga UEFA Europa League - Group stage 4-0 W 3-3 D
2020/21 AEK Athens UEFA Europa League - Group stage 2-0 W 2-1 W
2020/21 Slavia Prague UEFA Europa League - Round of 32 0-2 L 0-0 D
2021/22 Napoli UEFA Europa League - Group stage 2-2 D 3-2 L
2021/22 Legia Warsaw UEFA Europa League - Group stage 3-1 W 0-1 L
2021/22 Spartak Moscow UEFA Europa League - Group stage 1-1 D 4-3 W
2021/22 Randers FC UEFA Europa Conference League - Knockout Round Play-Off 4-1 W 3-1 W
2021/22 Rennes UEFA Europa Conference League - Round of 16 2-0 W 2-1 L
2021/22 PSV Eindhoven UEFA Europa Conference League - Quarter-Finals 0-0 D 2-1 W
2021/22 AS Roma UEFA Europa Conference League - Semi-Finals 1-1 D 1-0 L


2021/22 - A maiden European semi-final appearance

An exit from the UEFA Europa League, following a third-placed finish in the group stage, meant Leicester City would compete in the 2021/22 UEFA Europa Conference League - a new competition in its inaugural year. The Foxes were pitted against Danish side Randers FC in the knockout round play-offs.

A 4-1 success over Thomas Thomasberg's side on Filbert Way - courtesy of goals from Wilfred Ndidi, Harvey Barnes, Patson Daka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - set City up nicely for the second leg in Denmark. Another big scoreline, 3-1, came Leicester's way at Randers Stadium, with Barnes netting early before a stunning James Maddison brace.

High-flying French Ligue 1 outfit Rennes were next up for Brendan Rodgers' men in the last-16. City had the advantage during a tight first leg tie in Leicester, thanks to a magnificent strike from Marc Albrighton, while Kelechi Iheanacho's 93rd-minute effort would prove vital. 

An intense atmosphere greeted the Foxes in Brittany a week later. Benjamin Bourigeaud put the home side ahead early on, but the visitors remained strong at Roazhon Park, as Wesley Fofana marked his first start since returning from a long-term fractured fibula injury with a headed equaliser.

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Ricardo Pereira
Ricardo Pereira

Ricardo Pereira wheels away in delight after completing a stirring comeback to win 2-1 at PSV Eindhoven in the quarter-finals.

That meant not even Flavien Tait's late goal for the home side would be enough to prevent City returning to the United Kingdom with a 3-2 aggregate win. The stature of opponent was increasing as the Club progressed through the stages and Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven would be next in the quarter-finals.

Leicester were once again at home first up, drawing 0-0 in front of a full house, meaning a big performance was needed in Eindhoven. An early storm came their way at Philips Stadion and City were behind after 27 minutes as Eran Zahavi beat Kasper Schmeichel from a tight angle.

The Foxes' growing European experience told in the end, though, with Maddison and then Ricardo Pereira (in the 88th minute) completing a brilliant comeback and securing a first-ever semi-final appearance. José Mourinho's AS Roma stood in the way of Leicester reaching a major European final.

Once again, the first leg was on Filbert Way, but despite City's dominance, Lorenzo Pellegrini fired Roma ahead. The Foxes continued to press and Gianluca Mancini's own goal made it 1-1. In Rome, however, Tammy Abraham's header delighted a raucous Stadio Olimpico crowd and ended the dream for the Blue Army. Across the Europa League and the Europa Conference League, City had contested 14 matches in European competition throughout 2021/22.

2021/22 - UEL group-stage disappointment 

After winning the Emirates FA Cup and finishing fifth in the Premier League the year earlier, the Foxes qualified for the UEFA Europa League for a second successive season in 2021/22 - being drawn alongside Napoli, Legia Warsaw and Spartak Moscow in Group C.

With fans now back in stadia across the continent, Leicester were backed by a full house in their opening fixture as Italian giants Napoli visited Leicester City Stadium. Ayoze Pérez's first-half strike put City ahead, but a maiden goal for the Club by Patson Daka in the second half was then cut out by VAR.

Academy graduate Harvey Barnes did put the Foxes two up moments later. However, a late brace from Victor Osimhen would secure a point for the visitors, before Wilfred Ndidi's stoppage-time red card. A 1-0 defeat by Legia in Poland, courtesy of Mahir Emreli's first-half strike, was to follow.

City needed points and they came in remarkable fashion in Moscow. After goals from Aleksandr Sobolev and Jordan Larsson for Spartak, Daka got one back just before the break. The Zambia international would go on to become the first Leicester City player to score four goals in a single game since Derek Hines in a 6-3 victory over Aston Villa in November 1958.

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Patson Daka
Patson Daka

Patson Daka scored four goals, including the fastest-ever UEFA Europa League hat-trick in a 4-3 win in Moscow.

Sobolev got another back for the home side, but a memorable trip to Russia would end in a 4-3 success. Back in Leicester, for the return fixture against Spartak, Victor Moses' header gave the away side a surprise lead, but Daniel Amartey was at least able to rescue a point for City. Jamie Vardy, however, missed a chance from the penalty spot to secure all three.

On 25 November, goals from Daka, James Maddison and Ndidi helped Brendan Rodgers' men register a 3-1 victory over Legia on Filbert Way, sending the Foxes top of Group C with one game to play. Anything could happen on matchday six, though, with all four teams still in with a shot at qualification.

Leicester headed to Naples knowing a draw would be enough to reach at least the play-off rounds. A win, on the other hand, would send them through to the Round of 16. Adam Ounas and Elif Elmas, though, saw Napoli race into an early two-goal lead at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Strikes from Jonny Evans and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - netting for the first time for the Club - did restore parity, but another Elmas effort after the restart would eventually condemn City to defeat. Leicester finished third in Group C and would compete in the UEFA Europa League Conference League in 2022. 

2020/21 - New records made in Europa League debut

Despite SC Braga being the closest challengers to Leicester City at the top of Group G during their 2020/21 UEFA Europa League campaign, a resounding 4-0 win in November 2020 proved to be their largest triumph in Europe.

Following back-to-back wins over Zorya Luhansk and AEK Athens, the Foxes knew a win over Braga would put them in a commanding position to advance into the knockout stages.

They not only won, but set a new Club record in the process thanks to two goals and an assist from Kelechi Iheanacho, who set up Dennis Praet for a third of the night before James Maddison concluded the scoring.

The triumph put Leicester three points clear at the top of their pool, having won all of their opening matches on their Europa League debut.

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Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas

Luke Thomas scored his first goal for the Football Club in the 3-3 draw with SC Braga in November.

During an end-to-end encounter, six goals saw City share the spoils, and ultimately advance to the next round due to AEK Athens losing out to Zorya Luhansk on the same evening.

Although Al Musrati struck early on, Harvey Barnes levelled matters just five minutes later. Then, Paulinho restored Braga’s lead before another Academy graduate – Luke Thomas – found the net for his first goal for the Club.

With only added time remaining, Fransergio looked to have pinched all three points for the home side, however Vardy's 95th-minute leveller sent City through in a 3-3 thriller.

Another victory over AEK Athens would follow for the Foxes to wrap up top spot but a stubborn Slavia Prague outfit would ultimately end their first-ever Europa League campaign over two legs in the Round of 32 stage.

2016/17 - An enthralling maiden Champions League campaign

Leicester's best European showing to date undoubtedly came in 2016/17 as the Foxes marked their maiden outing in the UEFA Champions League with a series of sensational performances.

Making their debut in European football's platinum club competition, following the magnificent Premier League title success in 2016, Claudio Ranieri's men were grouped with FC Porto, Copenhagen and Club Brugge. 

Marc Albrighton earned the honour of scoring Leicester's first goal in the competition in a 3-0 win in Bruges in September, while Riyad Mahrez found the net twice more for the flying Foxes.

Successive 1-0 victories - at home against Porto and Copenhagen - followed for Leicester, before a 0-0 stalemate away in the Danish capital, and a 2-1 home success over Brugge. 

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Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel saves a decisive spot-kick as Leicester advance past European specialists Sevilla in the Round of 16.

While a much-changed Foxes side were beaten at Porto, Ranieri's champions emerged as group winners to face Sevilla in the round of 16, losing out in the first leg 2-1 at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

One of the greatest nights in the Club's history followed, as Wes Morgan and Albrighton got the goals, while Kasper Schmeichel saved a penalty to secure a 3-2 aggregate win for a side overseen by Craig Shakespeare.

Atléti, though, would once again deny Leicester in the last-eight. Antoine Griezmann's penalty booked a 1-0 win in Madrid, before Saúl Ñíguez's header reduced Jamie Vardy's strike to a consolation in Leicester.

However, the Foxed could be immensely proud of their debut showing in the Champions League, and received a raucous applause as they left the field. 

2000/01 - Tackling Red Star in the UEFA Cup

Another reward for League Cup success came in 2000, following City's final win against Tranmere Rovers, although Peter Taylor was now the man in charge ahead of a second UEFA Cup appearance.

The Foxes were drawn to face Serbian side Red Star Belgrade against the backdrop of a season which saw Leicester City sitting atop of the Premier League table after eight matches.

The first leg, staged at Filbert Street, was a tense affair, but the Foxes fell behind as the smoke from a flare distracted Tim Flowers in the home side's net.

Milenko Ačimovič's long-range effort inside the opening minute, while usually a simple stop, caught Flowers by surprise as it emerged through a thick cloud of smoke in front of the Double Decker Stand.

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Leicester City vs. Red Star Belgrade
Leicester City vs. Red Star Belgrade

The draw for the UEFA Cup was once again unkind to City, pitting them up against a strong Red Star Belgrade side.

City recovered, though, with Gerry Taggart crashing in a header inside the penalty area to leave the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg, which took place in Vienna due to unrest in Belgrade.

Goran Drulić fired the 'home' side in front at Ernst-Happel-Stadion, but Muzzy Izzet was able to restore parity on the scoresheet before the interval during a lively encounter in Austria's capital.

City's bid to reach the second round, though, began to unravel after the break as first Ivan Gvozdenović and then Drulić again scored the goals to seal a 4-2 aggregate win for Red Star.

The Club would have to wait 16 years for their next chance to shine against the best sides on the continent. 

1997/98 - Edged by Atlético over two legs

Thirty-six years after their last European adventure, following Leicester's 1997 League Cup triumph over Middlesbrough, Martin O'Neill was the man in charge as the Club returned to European football in the UEFA Cup.

Their first opponents? Atlético Madrid. In mid-September, a month which would end with O'Neill scooping the Premier League Manager of the Month prize, City travelled to Spain for the first leg.

To the shock of Madrid natives - and indeed the thousands of travelling Foxes fans - the visitors took the lead as Ian Marshall bundled a close-range effort in against a side boasting £50M worth of talent.

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Ian Marshall
Ian Marshall

Ian Marshall gives Leicester a shock lead over Atlético at Vicente Calderón Stadium.

Naturally, Atléti recovered and began to dominate proceedings with Juninho Paulista and then Christian Vieri - from the penalty spot - turning the match on its head and giving the hosts a 2-1 lead.

Back in Leicester, a night of controversy ensued. With City sensing an opportunity to capitalise after Juan López's red card for Madrid, Garry Parker was then inexplicably dismissed himself nine minutes later.

As O'Neill fumed on the touchline - after seeing Parker seemingly sent off for taking a free-kick too quickly for the referee's liking - Juninho and Kiko broke Leicester's hearts late on at Filbert Street.

1961/62 - The Club's European Cup Winners' Cup debut

As a result of reaching the FA Cup Final at the conclusion of the 1960/61 season, losing out to Tottenham Hotspur, City qualified for the European Cup Winners' Cup a season later. 

Later replaced by the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and then abolished in 1999, the European Cup Winners' Cup was reserved for the victors of European domestic cup competitions.

However, as Spurs had been entered into the European Cup as First Division champions, their space was allotted to Leicester, making their maiden appearance in the preliminary round.

A two-legged victory was sealed against Irish Cup winners Glenavon, with James Walsh, Colin Appleton, Ken Keyworth and Hugh Mcllmoyle among the scorers in a 7-2 aggregate success. 

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Leicester City 1961
Leicester City 1961

The 1961/62 Leicester City first team squad, pictured at Filbert Street.

City were rewarded with a glamour tie against Spanish giants Atlético Madrid - who would become familiar foes for the Foxes - in the first round proper of the competition.

Despite sealing an encouraging 1-1 draw in the first leg at Filbert Street, when Keyworth's opener was cut out in the last minute by Mendoza, heartbreak was to follow in the Spanish capital.

Leicester's first of three competitive visits to the Vicente Calderón would end in a 2-0 defeat for Matt Gillies' men as Atlético gathered steam in an ultimately successful bid to lift the trophy.

It would be another 36 years until the Foxes would return to the European stage.

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