Leicester City are about to play in the Champions League.
It’s still rather strange, writing that, but it’s something we’re going to have to get used to over the next few months or so.
Facing Club Brugge on Wednesday night, the Premier League champions will be hoping for a great start to their surprise European campaign, but one man could stand in their way: Ludovic Butelle.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper, who joined the Belgian side last January from Angers in France, gave an interview to France Football ahead of the Champions League clash, and he’s looking forward to it, not quite believing he’s about to face the best team in England last year.
He explained: “I was at Angers last year, all was going well, then I had this opportunity to join Brugge. From then on, the objective was clear: win the league to play the Champions League. Everything I planned happened, so that’s huge.”
Wednesday’s game will also put him face to face with a man he’s already played against three times during his time in France: Riyad Mahrez.
The Algerian winger, who joined Leicester from Le Havre in 2014, has become one of the most exciting players in world football after a staggering season last year, which Butelle commented on.
He said: “His evolution is just crazy. It’s impressive. He already had these abilities in Ligue 2, this way to dribble, go past opponents. No French club looked at him seriously… He met the right people.
“What he’s doing in England, it’s fantastic, amazing, but it’s also a lot of hard work down his end. What’s happening to him is deserved. It’s a great lesson and a good example for young players who are starting.”
France Football then remind the veteran goalkeeper that he’s never lost against a team that included Riyad Mahrez (two wins and a draw), something Butelle is keen to repeat.
He said: “Well, I hope it’ll be the same Wednesday (laughs)! After that, the context is different. He’s on another level, he’s so confident. He’s nothing like the player who was at Le Havre, even if he was already good.”
What’s your prediction? We’re going for a 2-1 Leicester win with a Mahrez goal.
This streak of Butelle’s cannot continue, surely? Or can it?
