Zieler: A Tough Game, But We Look Forward To It

- The Foxes goalkeeper wants his side to enjoy the fixture, but is aware of Sevilla’s strengths 

- City head to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Last-16 tie 

- Zieler has played 25 times for Hannover 96 in UEFA competitions 

hopes his Leicester City team-mates can enjoy Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League , but knows just how talented the Spanish outfit are. 

The Foxes stopper has plenty of experience playing in Europe having made a total of 25 appearances in UEFA competitions for Hannover 96. 

Ahead the clash, Zieler stressed the importance of remaining solid away from home in order for City to give themselves a platform to build on in March’s second leg on Filbert Way. 

“It’s a big game,” Zieler told LCFC TV. “We did really well in the group stages. It’s a very tough game ahead of us. We’re one of only 16 teams left in Europe and Sevilla have done fantastic over the last couple of years. 

“They’ve won the Europa League a few times, so it’s a tough game ahead, but it’s also something we should look forward to. I think it’s a bonus game, so hopefully we can enjoy it and get a good result to take it into the next couple of weeks. 

“Sevilla are going to have a very good atmosphere at the stadium and I think it will be very difficult, but we have got the quality. We’ve shown that in the group stages, but we have to make sure we show that on the day too. 

“The first leg is very important. Let’s put it this way – you shouldn’t lose. If we can get a draw, even a win, it would be fantastic for the second leg. 

“Obviously we know that it’s not going to be as easy as that, so we have to make sure we defend well and if we have the opportunity to go forward, we have to take it.” 

Not only would a positive result at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium go a long way in helping the Premier League champions advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, it would also serve as a springboard for City’s league form, says Zieler. 

He added: “It feels a long time ago since the last Champions League game because we’ve had the FA Cup and a lot of Premier League games. Maybe also for our minds at this stage of the season, it’s a bit of a change, playing in the Champions League. 

“If we get a good result, hopefully we can take that into the Premier League. We all know that we need to do better in the Premier League, so maybe at this time of the season, it’s a good change to play in the Champions League.”