Kasper Schmeichel reflects on a tough game for Leicester City

Kasper Schmeichel has said that it “was a tough game, not just on the pitch but mentally” following Leicester City’s 1-0 win over Cardiff City on Saturday.

Leicester had the choice to postpone the fixture on Saturday, but the players unanimously decided to play as planned to honour Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

As we all expected, Claude Puel’s side looked very shaky early on, and it seemed as if they were in for a long afternoon; however, they were able to soon gain their calm and composure before Demarai Gray scored what proved to be the winner.

Schmeichel, who ran the length of the pitch to celebrate with Gray, spoke after the game, revealing how hard it has been for everyone over the last week.

"“That was a tough game, not just on the pitch but mentally,” he said.“There are a lot of exhausted people in there now but I am proud of this team and the club. The way everyone has handled themselves has been unbelievable.“It has been hard. We have tried for a few hours a day to be professional and train hard, but everyone wanted to play and win for his family. His family have been strong, [with] the courage they have had.“I feel just an overwhelming sense of pride of being part of the family that Vichai built and the extended family of Leicester City.”"

The Leicester squad will now travel to Bangkok for Srivaddhanaprabha’s funeral for their final goodbye. They’ll be returning in midweek ahead of their first home game since the helicopter tragedy against Burnley.

"“It was nice to get a win to take to Thailand now and hopefully we did his family proud,” Schmeichel added.“You couldn’t ask for a better chairman. There are few people who come along in this life that have an impact on you. He had that on me and so many people, and the outpouring of grief around the world shows that.“Everyone grieves in different ways and the opportunity was given [to go the funeral] and we wanted to go. We are a family and wanted to pay our last respects together.”"

Leicester players can pat themselves on the back after a tremendous show of resilience and courage. It would have been easier for them to have the match postponed, but they chose to go out there on the pitch to play for Khun Vichai. It’s no less than what the late Thai deserves.

The encounter against the Clarets is going to be just as emotional and just as tough, because it’ll be the first time that they’d be playing at the King Power Stadium without Srivaddhanaprabha’s assuring presence.

How we all wish we could see that billion-dollar sight again.