A Very Important Win For Us, Says Barnes
- Leicester City booked a 2-0 victory over AEK Athens on Filbert Way on Thursday evening
- Harvey Barnes netted City's second after Cengiz Ünder opened the scoring in the first half
- The Academy graduate-turned-England international also discusses Leicester's admirable home record
- Whoever the Foxes are paired with the Round of 32, the 23-year-old says they will be confident
After Cengiz Ünder's fearsome volley opened the scoring at Leicester City Stadium on 12 minutes, the Academy graduate registered his sixth strike of the season moments later to help wrap up the points.
City's fourth group-stage victory enabled Brendan Rodgers' men to finish atop of their pool, above SC Braga on both goal difference and the head-to-head record, meaning they will be seeded in Monday's Round of 32 draw.
Reflecting on a notable result for the Foxes, Barnes, 23, told LCFC TV at full-time: "I think it was really important for us to win tonight. We knew we had to match whatever Braga got and, obviously, they won, so it was very important for us that we did in the end.
Barnes: A Big Confidence Boost
Harvey Barnes spoke to LCFC TV following the Foxes' 2-0 Europa League victory over AEK Athens.
"We played some really good football. We obviously got two good goals and topped the group, so we’re really happy.
"Confidence is important but it also helps us with the draw in the knockout stages, so I think it was very important for us."
Barnes believes Leicester's tactical shape also allowed them to ultimately run out as comfortable victors, despite coming up against a side which caused them problems in Athens back in October.
"We knew they were a good side," the England international added. "They were always going to cause us problems, but I think we set up really well and moved the ball around really quickly.
"That helped us. I was playing a little bit wider tonight with the formation so that helped me get on the ball and I thought we had some really good link-up play."
City have a 100 per cent record at Leicester City Stadium in Europe this term and Barnes says that is a warning to whoever the Club will be paired with in Monday's knockout stage draw.
"It’s a big confidence boost for ourselves really, knowing that when teams are coming here, we’re setting a good standard and we’re showing it’s not going to be easy for them," he explained.
"It shows whoever we draw in the next round that it’s going to be tough for them. I think we were just making sure we got the job done tonight and then whoever we get, we’ll be ready."