Wolves 0-0 Leicester: A predictable goalless draw for the Foxes

Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers played out their third goalless draw in four games, as Nuno Espírito Santo’s side reverted to their trusted 3-4-3 formation to neutralise the Foxes attacking prowess.

In recent interviews, Nuno has spoke to the media about Wolverhampton Wanderers ambitions of becoming a European side and challenging for one of the top four places in the Premier League. To do so, he’s admitted his side need to transition away from the defensive three/five, that they’ve become infamous for playing during their time in the league, and start instigating and controlling games with a back four.

However, with a generic underperformance inside the four-back formation and a slight inferiority complex (when compared with the Leicester City), he entrusted the three-back – which played more like a five out of possession. For the Foxes this was quite the compliment, both sides have been likened to each other during their rises to “top half” Premier League clubs and both have aspirations of pushing that motion even further.

Unfortunately, Leicester City didn’t have the answers for dissecting this system. Wolves’ three lines played in a compact block, whilst also spreading the width of the pitch (due to their wing-backs and winger combinations). The way to play through the Wolves system was to occupy spaces between these lines – albeit slim pickings – and play diagonally through them.