Foxes of Leicester
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Leicester City v Barcelona: Foxes with a point to prove against Lionel Messi and Spanish Champions

By Thomas Atzenhoffer

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Danny Drinkwater of Leicester City celebrates scoring his team's opening goal with Danny Simpson during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Danny Drinkwater of Leicester City celebrates scoring his team's opening goal with Danny Simpson during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City failed to impress against French title holders Paris Saint-Germain this past weekend, now is the time for the English club to shine against Lionel Messi and Barcelona.

Leicester City opened their run in the preseason International Champions Cup with a 6-5 victory on penalties over Scottish side Celtic in what looked set to be a positive few games against some of the most well known sides in the world.

However, the Foxes traveled to the United States to face off against French champions Paris Saint-Germain and were eviscerated by Unai Emery’s side to the tune of a 4-0 defeat leaving fans and pundits starting to question if the English champions were not yet up to the task of defending their title this season.

It was a stark reminder that while Leicester City are the Champions of England, they have a lot of depth of squad to make up this summer in order to be ready for the biggest clubs in Europe heading into their first UEFA Champions League campaign.

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With Jamie Vardy expected to make his return to the first team for at least part of the match against Barcelona in Stockholm this evening the club will be hoping to rebound and prove a point against the reigning Spanish title holders.

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez are all believed set to play a part in the side tonight having all returned from Copa America duty and if even at half speed the three are going to give Wes Morgan and his back line a true test.

Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Luis Suarez of F.C.Barcelona celebrating the Neymar goal, during F.C.Barcelona vs Sporting Spanish League match, April 23, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Luis Suarez of F.C.Barcelona celebrating the Neymar goal, during F.C.Barcelona vs Sporting Spanish League match, April 23, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Leicester need to show some fire and could showcase some different partnerships and formations as part of the match too as they will be facing off in their first truly meaningful match of the season as they open up the English footballing calendar against Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.

Barcelona likewise enjoyed a victory over Celtic in their opening ICC match and will have enjoyed a much shorter flight time to Sweden for the match with Leicester City and it is certain to be an interesting one to watch as this one is truly going to be about what can Leicester City do following a demoralizing victory thousands of miles away from home.

As another clash of potential future UEFA Champions League opponents, Leicester City must also continue to try and show that their first ever entry into the elite club competition of Europe is not going to be expected to see them go home with their tail between their legs not ready to put up a fight.

Projected Squads

Leicester City: Schmeichel, Hernandez, Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Chilwell, Fuchs, Mahrez, Gray, Amartey, Drinkwater, Mendy, King, Zieler, Schlupp, Albrighton, Ulloa, Okazaki, Musa, Vardy.

Barcelona: Masip, Tello, Vidal, Gil, Mathieu, Mesa, D. Suarez, Roberto, Turan, Messi, L. Suarez, Munir, Samper, Borges, J. A Suarez, Barbosa, Lopez, Carbonell, Gumau, Alena, Martinez, Ligero, Mujica.

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