Schmeichel Braced For Historic Night

- It will be the Denmark international's first taste of a UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final

- The Foxes goalkeeper says prospect of leading his team-mates out as captain is a "dream" 

- Schmeichel is confident that Leicester can spring yet another surprise in Arganzuela

The Foxes shot-stopper has been in stellar form in recent weeks, making crucial penalty saves during both legs of the Last-16 triumph over Sevilla, and he is expected to captain Craig Shakespeare’s side at the Vicente Calderón in Wes Morgan’s absence for arguably the biggest night in the Club’s history. 

Schmeichel, who has climbed from the fourth tier of English football to the height of the European game, says City are not in Madrid to merely make up the numbers and has backed his outfield team-mates to secure a positive result to take back to Leicester City Stadium ahead of the second leg.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening, the Denmark international said: “For me, as a goalkeeper, it is all about consistency and performing at a consistent level. I feel I have been at a high level for a long time. It gets noticed more in the Champions League, but I am happy with where I am.” 

Schmeichel will lead Leicester out in Arganzuela and he admits it will be a proud moment: “If picked, then being captain is something you always dream of. It is a shame, the circumstances, I would much rather have Wes play. He has been to every game [since his injury], home and away, being captain and leading the team. 

"That’s his way, he is a natural leader and I think it is great that he is there with us at every game, leading with his influence.” 

The 30-year-old admits nights like these are a new experience for many within the Foxes camp but he sees no reason why they cannot thrive in their new surroundings – even against a European giant in Diego Simeone’s Atlético within the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Vicente Calderón.

He added: “When you look at the DNA of our team, the type of characters and the journeys, the rejections, these are the kind of nights you want. When I was in League 2, playing these games was what I was wanting to aim for. The big pressure games like this, this is what you live for, what you play for.