LEICESTER CITY 3 ROTHERHAM 0
Post Match Analysis by Paul Weston
The victory against Birmingham City only a few days ago was discussed by fans before the match. We all agreed that the attacking play had been exhilarating and somewhat different to what we had witnessed at the King Power. No doubt Rotherham would have a different tactical approach to that adopted by Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham City and so it proved. City usually find a way to work through a defensive side and the players have learned that a patient approach pays off. Sometimes, however, for the fans it can be a difficult watch.
Enzo selected the same side as for the Birmingham match, with Vardy still worryingly sidelined with a knee injury, and Daka picked to lead the line and now starting to learn how to play the Maresca way. He needs to practise his close ball control though!
There is very little to say about the first half except that City, as expected, had the majority of possession. Rotherham were well organised, and their two full backs looked to be their best players and were not going to be daunted about their battles with Mavididi and Fatawu. Rotherham rarely crossed the halfway line and their best opportunities came from long throw ins.
A few chances feel to Ndidi and Ricardo, but the half ended 0-0 to somewhat muted response from the crowd.
Enzo most often than not gets it right by the second half and City came out invigorated. The players pressurised Rotherham’s back line, upped the pace and tackled more ferociously. Fatawu won the ball high up and passed to Daka, whose shot was cleared off the line. You felt that a goal was coming, and it was created by the marauding Wout Faes who had a fine game. He burst through into the box. His shot was saved and partially kicked goalwards by Ndidi and Daka did the rest. It was a scruffy but well-deserved goal. It did not take long for the second goal to arrive. A sloppy pass across the defensive line by Rotherham was pounced on by Daka who was tripped by the goalie. Daka himself calmly smashed home the ensuing penalty.
Enzo had already brought on Akgun for Fatawu who had little joy against the full back and had been booked. After the second goal he brought on subs Casadei and Praet for Ndidi and KDH. Both the latter two players had not been at their best and somewhat jaded and this was a good call. Soon afterwards, after a superb move, Ricardo sent a delightful cross over the goalie for Casadei to score with a diving header. The game was won and Choudhury and Souttar came on for Ricardo and Justin.
City easily passed between themselves with little threat from Rotherham to end with a comfortable 3-0 victory to send the fans home happy for Christmas.
Earlier in the day Leeds had thrashed Ipswich 4-0 which was quite a statement. I think City players can be prepared for quite a reaction from Ipswich Town when they go to Portman Road on Boxing Day for what looks like a mouthwatering fixture and an interesting comparison of styles from two relatively new managers. Bring it on!
City player ratings: Hermansen (7) Faes (8) Vestergaard (7) Justin (7) Ricardo (8) Dewsbury-Hall (6) Winks (7) Ndidi (6) Fatawu (6) Daka (7) Mavididi (6). Subs: Casadei (7) Choudhury (6) Praet (7) Souttar (6) Akgun (7), not used: Stolarczyk, Coady, Iheanacho, Cannon
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation.