The ever-quotable Claudio Ranieri gave another delightful postgame speech after Leicester City won 3-0 at Club Brugge in its UEFA Champions League season debut on Wednesday.
Ranieri thinks the Foxes surprised their hosts, with Marc Albrighton scoring early before a pair of goals from Riyad Mahrez salted away the result.
[ WATCH: Mahrez’s terrific free kick goal ]
The manager loved his charges on the night, and he credits, well -- clearing throat -- “The chaaaaaampiooooons”.
From the BBC:“Club Brugge moved the ball very well, they had the control of the ball but we had control of the match and that was good for us. Maybe at the beginning we surprised them.
“I said to the players when you hear the Champions League music it charges the battery and makes you fight.”
Ranieri is well-qualified to manage in Europe, having led Valencia, Juventus, and Chelsea into the Champions League. While it would’ve been a surprise that he spearheaded the Foxes to the Premier League title, this atmosphere is not unfamiliar territory for the Roman coach.
With Copenhagen drawing at Porto, Leicester leads Group G. The Foxes will host Porto on Sept. 27.