Zidane explains why he doesn’t want to face Leicester City

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has admitted that he would not want to face last year’s Premier League champions in the next round of the Champions League, Mirror reports.

Leicester have unleashed the same power that drove them to the title last season with the sacking of Claudio Ranieri as they overcame third-placed in La Liga Sevilla in the quarter-finals.

“I don’t think there will be a single coach who are hoping they face Leicester.” Zidane said. “They keep achieving what they are told they can’t achieve. Many though they wouldn’t hold onto their lead at the top of the Premier League – and they did.

“Many thought they could not turnaround the defeat against Sevilla – and they did.”

Despite not scoring a goal, Jamie Verdy terrorised Sevilla’s defence with smart movement and was responsible for getting Samir Nasri sent to the showers in the 74^th minute.

Zidane continued: “Whatever club Leicester face, they won’t be favourites. And with that pressure off them and on the other team, anything can happen.

“We have seen they have some very talented players but they also play with a lot of passion and heart. That is never easy to face.

“In the last eight, you are going to be in for two tough games. It’s the stage of the competition where everybody starts to believe and to dream they can win it.”

The draw will be made at 12:00 CET on Friday 17 March.