Leicester City F.C. in European football
Leicester City have faced Atlético Madrid in three European ties.
Leicester City Football Club, founded in 1884 and based in Leicester, Leicestershire, has competed in European competitions since the 1961–62 season. The club's fourth European appearance was the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League, following earlier campaigns in the European Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Cup. Leicester have also entered the UEFA Europa Conference League, the Anglo-Italian Cup, the Anglo-Scottish Cup and the Texaco Cup.
Quick Facts
- Continent
- Europe
- Club
- Leicester City
- Seasons played
- 6
- First entry
- 1961–62 European Cup Winners' Cup
- Last entry
- 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League
Facts from the source article.
UEFA competitions
Leicester entered the 1961–62 European Cup Winners' Cup as beaten FA Cup finalists, after Tottenham Hotspur won both the league and FA Cup. Leicester won the first leg at Windsor Park 4–1 with three goals in ten minutes, and took the second leg 3–1. The first round paired them with Atlético Madrid, who had won the Copa del Generalísimo twice. The home leg at Filbert Street ended 1–1, but Leicester lost 2–0 at the Estadio Metropolitano de Madrid and were eliminated; Atlético went on to win the tournament.
Leicester won the Football League Cup in 1996–97, their first silverware in 26 years, and qualified for the UEFA Cup alongside Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool. The draw again matched them with Atlético Madrid. In Leicester's first major European match since 1961, Atlético won the first leg 2–1 at the Vicente Calderón Stadium. Leicester lost the home tie 2–0 and were eliminated. Juninho, who had played for Middlesbrough in the League Cup final, scored in both legs; Ian Marshall scored Leicester's only goal.
After winning the League Cup again in 1999–2000, Leicester qualified for the UEFA Cup with Chelsea and Liverpool. Taylor expressed confidence about the squad's strength and the club's chances of reaching Europe again.
Minor trophies
Leicester competed three times in the Anglo-Italian Cup, a tournament for English and Italian clubs not in European competitions. In 1972 they played Cagliari and Atalanta, losing away and winning at home; they finished 3rd of six English teams and were eliminated. The tournament was cancelled in 1973 but revived from 1992–93. Leicester entered the first two revived editions but were eliminated in the preliminary rounds both times: in 1992–93 they beat Grimsby Town but lost to Newcastle United; in 1993–94 they lost to Peterborough United and West Bromwich Albion.
Leicester entered the Texaco Cup twice. In 1972–73 they eliminated Dundee United on penalties after two draws, then faced Norwich City; after both legs finished 2–0 to the home side after extra time, Norwich won the penalty shoot-out 4–3. The next season Leicester beat Ayr United, drawing 1–1 away and winning 2–0 at home, but Dundee United gained revenge in the second round, winning 1–0 in Dundee and drawing 1–1 in England.
After Texaco dropped sponsorship, the Anglo-Scottish Cup began in 1975–76 with a group stage. Leicester were in Group 2 of the English Qualifiers with Hull City, Mansfield Town and West Bromwich Albion, and registered one win, one draw and one loss, failing to progress.
More in English Football Clubs in International Competitions
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