Leicester City, who have been crowned champions of the Premier League with two games to spare, have been scheduled to play Barcelona in their pre-season fixtures. The English side will be playing the Catalan club in the International Champions Cup at the Friends Arena in Stockholm before the start of the European season.
The Foxes were invited to the ICC on the back of their meteoric rise in the Premier League. The newly crowned Premier League champions will face the La Liga club on 3 August. Leicester’s other opponents will include French champions Paris Saint-Germain and Scottish club Celtic.
As compared to last years’ pre-season, the only teams from the European first divisions that Leicester played were Werder Bremen and Everton. The other clubs in the Foxes pre-season schedule were Ilkeston, Walsall, Preston North End, Milton Keynes Dons and Rotherham United, hardly elite European clubs.
Also read: How Leicester City's owner proved doubters wrong by making his prediction come true
The Foxes will be playing in the Champions League for the first time in their history. Manager Claudio Ranieri believes that the pre-season fixtures will help Leicester prepare mentally for the challenges of the Champions League. He said, “I want their open minds because not many have played in Europe, against big, big teams”. It is important because now we are fighting to go through the Champions League.”
Ranieri emphasised the importance of mentally preparing for the Champions League saying, “It is important to start to think like a big club who everybody around the world invites.” Speaking about his players’ availability for the tournament, he added, “Now there is the Euros, some will come back, others no, but I have to prepare all the team."
The veteran manager emphasised the importance of this experience for his players, “It is important they make good experience, see how other teams play. It is good because now around the world people are speaking about Leicester and that is a good achievement for the club.”All the big teams in pre-season go around the world and that is also important to improve our minds.”
Also read: How much did Leicester City players' transfer market value change after winning EPL title?
Leicester won the Premier League on Monday with two games to spare. The Foxes have a seven point lead ahead of second placed Tottenham, who could only manage to draw against Chelsea after taking a two-goal lead.
The International Champions Cup (ICC) is an annual club football friendly exhibition which features clubs playing in Europe, United States and Canada. The ICC this season features Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Liverpool, Leicester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Scottish club Celtic.
