We gave it our all, says Leicester’s Vardy

LEICESTER, United Kingdom: Jamie Vardy said Leicester City would depart the Champions League with their heads held high after falling to Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals following a 1-1 second-leg draw on Tuesday. Vardy’s 61st-minute strike gave Leicester hope, but Saul Niguez’s first-half opener, allied to Antoine Griezmann’s first-leg penalty, took Atletico through with a 2-1 aggregate win. “We absolutely gave it our all, especially in the second half. They made a lot of blocks on the line,” Vardy told BT Sport at the King Power Stadium. “We were in the ascendancy. We made a tactical change with Leo (Ulloa) on to give an aerial threat. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be. But we gave it our all and left it all out on the pitch. “On another day, some could have gone in. But we can be proud. From the display you’ve seen, it was a fantastic effort.” Leicester were making their first appearance in the Champions League following last season’s 5,000-1 title triumph in the Premier League. — AFP