Leicester: How Rodgers can beat Guardiola once again

Tactics

From watching Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City over the last few seasons, teams can’t afford to sit in a low block and expect to come out unscathed by the final whistle. Such is the Citizens’ quality, that they are likely to find a way through- therefore alternative tactics must be utilised.

A strong mentality is half of the battle in football, and for LCFC to stand a chance- the belief of winning is vital. Last season’s home defeat to MCFC was a classic case of a potential inferiority complex, with Leicester pretty toothless in attack.

Leicester City should aim to employ similar(ish) tactics to the ones used in the Community Shield Victory which is easier said than done. This coming fixture will be a different kettle of fish, with City having both De Bruyne and Phil Foden back from injury.

Even so, Leicester must come out of the blocks early with a high press and get the crowd onside- we all know the value of home advantage. The Leicester crowd on its day can be as good as any, but it can also become quite flat if things aren’t going LCFC’s way. Later in the game as fatigue sets in, the Foxes may settle into a ‘mid-block’- squeezing the Man City midfield and denying space without making a fatal mistake of sitting back. The tactic of having a striker (Vardy) man-marking the ball-recycling midfielder (Rodri) could prove advantageous in disrupting Man City build-up play.

Man City are most dangerous when they get into 2 on 1 situations in the half-spaces which has too often resulted in the classic Man City goal. Ndidi here will be crucial in patrolling in front of the back-line to cut out any dangerous balls; as well as halting any transitions.

Leicester’s outside CB’s and midfield three will have their work cut out to track the runners without getting dragged horribly out of position. Whilst it’s impossible to cover all the spaces, Leicester ought to force City out wide near the sidelines where crossing opportunities will be of less threat- and prevent allowing the City midfielders/full-backs/wingers in behind.

All these things are easier in principle than reality, so the true acid test is whether Rodgers’ men can execute a plan to perfection; which is required if City are to get anything from this game.