That which “Lisa” are doing this season, you can not be determined otherwise than as a phenomenon. In the Premier League since the founding of the league (1992 year) no one could write a similar script, and the last time such a surprise caused fans to the team Nottingham Forest, who was the darling managed to reach the title under the leadership of the legendary Brian Clough. However, this did in 1978, when the financial imbalance in football were not so great.
Of course, at this point, and in comparison with most of the leading clubs of strong European leagues, Leicester can be regarded as a rich and prosperous club, but in comparison with the English giants looks like Cinderella or poor relation.
The team that many too put devoured, first in a big way being rescued League, and later not removed his foot off the gas until today. We can not forget that everything began with “great escape” at the end of last season. In the last 8 games which are in last place in the table “Lisa” moved into battle, winning 6 of them, adding to winning a draw in the last round against Sunderland. The only defeat was a future champion of England, Chelsea.
If you want to see how great progress, it is enough to compare the situation a year ago with the present moment.
When we look at how Lisa looked before the season, you will not find in the unlimited potential of the team. Big stars? Nothing of that. Coach? In between competitions in connection with the scandalous behavior of players left the club Nigel Pearson, and his place was taken by surviving difficult times Claudio Ranieri. Reinforcements also were not impressive and it is hardly surprising that this team was almost unanimously condemned to battle for it to remain in the elite.
Experts, journalists, fans (and probably the same players) do not even dreamed of such an amazing scenario. It also shows the beauty of the sport in which to voice all the time they can reach values that the money does not have much in common – focus on a common goal, a family atmosphere between the players and coaching staff, determination and desire with making a sensation.
Given the prices that the club paid for the players, Leicester can be safely placed in the tail rate. About 25 million pounds to more than 10 less than the market value of the players of Manchester City. And in those 25 million pounds he was among one of the most effective scorer this season, Jamie Vardy, a candidate for best player in the whole tournament, Riyad Mahrez and a real machine to receive balls, compared with Claude Makelele N’Golo Kante. For this Kasper Schmeichel, who walks in the footsteps of his father, the great goalkeeper not so long dominant in England, Manchester United, Peter.
“Lisa” were the first three rounds of the season, which could be considered a surprise, but the scale of the phenomenon could not attract even more attention. Weeks went by, and months, and the club remained in the lead, looking down on a team like Liverpool or Chelsea. The best possible prospects, namely the one in which you can only watch behind his back trying to chase opponents returned to the original state from the beginning of the tournament in January.
The biggest rivals passed several mishaps, and Leicester just keeps doing her. He had exhausted their murderous difficult marathon meetings in late December and early January, then they feel its effects and start slow subsidence in the table. Finally, the players have shown that they lack the character of winners and experiences, which can be crucial. None of these things but had no place.
Players still maintain five-point lead over Tottenham Hotspur at the top of the English league, on Monday defeated in front of their own fans struggling to keep Newcastle United 1: 0.
The only goal scored great shot overhead kick in the 25th minute Japanese Shinji Okazaki. The guests for the first time led by Rafael Benitez, until recently coach of Real Madrid.
– I never thought that in my entire sporting life happens to me something as surprising as the fact that a team led by Claudio Ranieri can win the league championship – said the newspaper “The Guardian” striker, who spent seven seasons in Leicester (1978- 1985), scoring in 194 matches 95 goals.
Lineker went down in history not only as made striker and player known for playing fair (not received in his career no yellow cards), but say that football is somewhat predictable: “football is a game in the 22 guys running after the ball, and at the end they win Germany “.
Now the attacker is impressed by his former club.
– This is something unusual, extraordinary, what is happening now in football. For me, these are extra excitement, because the situation applies to my club, the team, which I supported since I was so small as a packet of crisps – added Lineker, referring to the fact that the fan “Fox” were his father and grandfather.
Born in Leicester England forward, top scorer of the World Cup in Mexico (1986), where he scored six goals, including three in a meeting with Polish, recalled how he survived the defeat of his club in the FA Cup in 1969. Manchester City ( 0: 1). He was then eight years old.
– I watched the defeat Leicester City in the FA Cup with his father and grandfather. I was eight years old and terribly cried all the way through, when we came back home. This is what happens to my club now can not be compared with anything. Such things do not happen to teams such as Leicester – he added.
By the end of the season left, “foxes” 8 meetings. The most difficult battle? Calendar appears to be gracious – on the distribution of Ranieri’s players have yet among sensational West Ham, traveled to Manchester for the game against United, and duels of Everton and Chelsea in the last two meetings of the season. Statistics, however, are on the side of Leicester, because in previous meetings this season with eight players from last rivals King Power Stadium until you have collected 20 points from a possible 24.
The only thing I can regret is Marcin Wasilewski, who remains with Claudio Ranieri reserve, only occasionally getting a chance to play in the starting line-up.
Is the mission impossible becomes possible? It has been 8 games of truth that may be the culmination of an incredible story. Leicester won the hearts of fans who simply want to just such a master, who is living proof that great teams do not need to create the exorbitant money. Which is not an artificial creation, and on their way to have all their rivals wrench. Fans just love such scenarios.
Paul Słójkowski, PolskieRadio.pl, PAP
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