Leicester humbled by soon-to-be champions Man City

Soon-to-be champions Manchester City humbled Leicester City at King Power Stadium after a disappointing Foxes performance.

The ruthless 3-1 bashing of Manchester United before the international break by Brendan Rodgers’ team enabled them to finish March on a high.

The beginning of April was always going to be arduous because of Pep Guardiola’s men visiting Leicestershire. Just before the match, Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers reported that Caglar Soyuncu would not be available for the clash because of the Covid-19 scares in the Turkish camp. Later he was confirmed to have tested positive for the virus, after the humbling.

Daniel Amartey, the Ghanian international, started at the right side of a back three alongside Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana. Marc Albrighton began as right-wing back ahead of substitute Ricardo Pereira, who was eased back in the squad as a precaution. The midfield and forward tactics were similar to those of the Sheffield United clash, with Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy upfront with Ayoze Perez behind the duo.

Saturday’s fixture panned out similarly to expectations, with the visitors having most of the possession and LCFC doing most of the defending. The net bulged in the starting minutes of the match in favour of the visitors thanks to a long range shot by Fernandinho. But that was ruled out thanks to Sergio Aguero, who was in an offside position.

All in all, the first half was relatively quiet; the Citizens rotated the ball all around the park but did not manage to create too much to trouble Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. A shot from the former fox, Riyadh Mahrez tested yet was ineffective. In the dying minutes of the first half Vardy did manage to put the ball in as well, though that was also judged to be offside.

Second half Leicester looked a much better proposition, especially in keeping the ball. However, Rodgers’ team were outdone by fake shot trickery and a cool weak-right footed finish by French international Benjamin Mendy in the 58th minute. The resilience was further shredded by Kevin De Bruyne through his sublime forward pass which bisected the heart of Leicester’s defence. That gave Raheem Sterling the chance to lay the ball to Gabriel Jesus, for him to only tap it in the goal.

James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira came off the bench in the later part of the half. Regardless, the Foxes failed to trouble City’s goal. The match ended 2-0 outfit from the blue side of Manchester, who are cruising towards the throne of England as their coronation remains a mere formality.

Whereas Leicester should not worry about this loss as they prepare to face West Ham next and don’t play a “big six” until the three run-in games.

The coming month will decide the destiny of the men in royal blue due to their vital Premier league contests, along with an FA cup Semi Final against Southampton. Character, mentality and patience are not just words to help Leicester continue dreaming and to keep cherishing this wonderful journey, these features now have to be instilled in the heart of the team…