Beaglehole: Youth League A Wonderful Experience

- The Foxes fell three goals behind early on but almost rescued a point with two second half strikes 

- City were eliminated from the UEFA Youth League as a result of the 3-2 reverse at Belvoir Drive 

- Beaglehole says his squad have given a good account of themselves against strong opposition 

Steve Beaglehole says lessons will be learned from Leicester City Under-19s' maiden UEFA Youth League campaign after the 3-2 defeat by Club Brugge denied them a place in the next round. 

The Foxes succumbed to the Belgian outfit at Belvoir Drive on Tuesday with Admiral Muskwe and Calvin Ughelumba’s second half goals proving not to be enough to overturn a three-goal deficit. 

A brace by Dennis van Vaerenbergh in the opening 45 minutes and Joel Ito Singha’s effort after the interval set Brugge on their way to a third win of the campaign to climb to the top of Group G and leave City in fourth place. 

Speaking to LCFC TV at full-time, Beaglehole said: “As we did in Copenhagen, we gave a team a two-goal start. It’s a frustrating because we knew, to win the game, we really needed to get our noses in front. 

“We spoke before the match about keeping a clean sheet and designated people as their main threats at set-pieces. Max Bramley made a brilliant save to deny a goal which could easily have gone in against a lesser goalkeeper. 

“I was watching on from the bench thinking it could be a problem and Brugge’s No. 9 gets a free header and we’re 1-0 now. 

“After the penalty, 16 minutes into the match, we’re 2-0 down. These players have had a wonderful opportunity to play in the Youth League.

“In my 17 years here at Leicester, we’ve not been anywhere near it but for them to have the chance is terrific.” 

Beaglehole pointed to City’s thrilling rally in the second half as a source of optimism and says his side will be all the better for their run in European competition. 

He added: “The second half was totally different and we had a real go. It was more like us, closing them down, being aggressive and playing in their half. 

“We created a lot of chances and scored two very good goals. On the second half showing, there was only one team in it. 

“As I’ve said to them in there, we don’t want a repeat of that first half. It’s about learning from these experiences but we’ve been in every game so far and given a good account of ourselves.”