BRAGA 3 LEICESTER CITY 3
Report by Paul Weston
The memory of the so disappointing performance against Liverpool was still in the mind as the key Europa League away match got closer on Thursday night. Like many City fans I had hoped for so much better. Worryingly we seemed to lack belief that Liverpool could be beaten and consequently we were comfortably defeated.
Braga and City both made five changes for the match. The Braga changes strengthened their side whereas the City changes were more of a gamble. Fofana, Vardy, Maddison, Tielemans and Mendy were all left on the bench. City played three at the back with Albrighton and Thomas as wingbacks. Three young players coming through the Academy were in the side – Barnes, Choudhury and Thomas.
City worryingly again started quite slowly and Braga went onto the offensive. After two shots were blocked Braga scored from long distance in the third minute, the goal beating Schmeichel’s despairing dive. However, it did not take long for City to equalise when, after an errant Braga pass was seized on by Icheanacho, Barnes scored a fine goal from a narrow angle with City’s first attack.
Despite the equaliser City still lacked intensity with little creativity in midfield and Icheanacho and Barnes were isolated. Schmeichel’s bellowing at his team was very audible, trying to goad the players into action. In the 23rd minute Braga broke through the middle too easily and, despite Schmeichel’s efforts, Fernandes scored a fine goal. 2-1 to Braga.
City still did not threaten with little movement and pressure on Braga’s defence. In the middle of this period of play Schmeichel made two cracking saves and Under should have scored twice when one on one with the goalie.
Rodgers decided he had enough and replaced Fuchs and Praet with Fofana and Tielemans respectively for the second half. The intensity of play picked up slightly and Under brought a good save from the goalie. However, Rodgers then made another positive move, bringing on the “big guns” Vardy and Maddison for Under and Barnes. Both Barnes and Under had tried hard but had been generally ineffective.
The introduction of Vardy and Maddison immediately changed the tempo of the game and City started to regain control. Perez was then brought on for Iheanacho to bolster City’s attacking intentions. Evans missed the goal from a great flick on from Vardy but then, from a bit of trickery from Maddison, Thomas stabbed in his first goal for the club- a wonderful moment for him. As the scores from other matches came through it looked like a draw would be enough to take City through to the next round.
City had the momentum and, although a draw would be sufficient, went all out and pressed for a win. Fofana headed on from a good chance. In the last minute of the second half Vardy broke down the right at pace. Instead of playing to waste time into the corner (should he have done this?) Vardy sent in a good cross to Perez in the centre, which was taken by the goalie. In no time Braga had counterattacked and, for once, Fofana was easily beaten down the line and, with City players left up front, Braga scored. A looming defeat seemed cruel after City’s fine performance in the second half.
This team never knows when it is beaten, however, and, in the fifth minute of injury time, after a fine ball down the line from Thomas, Vardy hared forward and passed to Maddison in the middle but surrounded by Braga players. He cleverly brought Albrighton in on the right who smashed a low cross across to Vardy who scored the equaliser. 3-3 and justice after a great second half performance.
It was an enthralling match and the players fully deserved to lead the group and securing position into the next round with two matches still to play. Schmeichel, Justin and Thomas stood out for me in a game of two halves.
Despite injuries to key players Rodgers and the squad have done so well in the Europa League and the Premiership. However, as in the Liverpool match, our formation of three at the back and wing backs has been found wanting at times. It seems that the return of Castagne, Soyuncu, Ricardo and N’Didi will not be that far off. When that happens Rodgers will have a great squad to choose from and perhaps our defence will look less fragile.
The next challenge is a Monday night match against Fulham followed closely by a trip to Ukraine on Thursday. It is a tough run of fixtures but it is an exciting time to be a City fan. If only we could go to the King Power to cheer on our team….
Leicester: Schmeichel, Justin, Evans, Fuchs (Fofana 45), Albrighton, Praet (Tielemans 45), Choudhury, Thomas, Ünder (Vardy 62), Barnes (Maddison 62), Iheanacho (Perez 68)
Booked: Albrighton, Evans
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