Leicester City 1-0 Wolves: Positive and negatives of structure changes

Introducing both of Boubakary Soumaré and Jannick Vestergaard — making Premier League debuts for the club — allowed Rodgers to shift into a 3-5-2 formation (slightly different to the 3-4-3 of Wolves). Replacing James Maddison and Ayozé Pérez, the Foxes shifted Harvey Barnes into the left-striker position, alongside Vardy, while the substitutes took up their ordinary positions — centre-back and central-midfield respectively.

This central-midfield three; Soumaré, Youri Tielemans, and Wilfred Ndidi, were now capable of limiting central progressions from Wolves — especially because of the numerical superiority, as the 3-4-3 only has a midfield double pivot, but it did come with a cost to the Foxes’ press. Without wingers, Leicester City couldn’t pressure the wide centre-backs (when they’re in possession). Aside from having extra freedom on-the-ball, they also always had an “out” ball passing lane if the Foxes pressed, and this made Rodgers’ team’s life very difficult.

The shift of structure also seemed uncomfortable for Leicester in possession; a lot of misplaced passes, and poor interactions on-the-ball, negated the actual positives of the shape (limiting central progressions) as they sacrificed possession in areas of high percentage turnovers. This is all contextual, as the Foxes were able to hold out due to having an additional defender — making a block or last ditch tackle, but perhaps the shift in structure invited these chances rather than negating them.

Overall, LCFC won the game and that’s the most important thing early in a season. I thought the performance first-half was electric, and highlighted just how fluid the team plays inside a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 hybrid, connecting effortlessly all across the pitch. I anticipate that’s the system moving forward, and the aforementioned changes were forced by Wolves’ system finding minor flaws in the Foxes shape/team.