Leicester City returned to winning ways with a confidence-boosting win against Danish side Randers in the Europa Conference League play-offs. Despite Brendan Rodgers having claimed he initially didn’t know about the Europa Conference League, the City boss went with a relatively strong side. The Foxes opened the scoring through the unlikely source of Wilfried Ndidi in the 23rd minute but fans would have been forgiven for thinking the worst as Randers equalised on the stroke of half-time.
In the end, however, Rodgers’ gamble paid off and Leicester City showed their class in the second half to run out 4-1 winners with Harvey Barnes, Patson Daka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scoring on an evening where the Foxes should have had several more if not for the heroics of Horses goalkeeper Patrik Carlgren. On this topic, here are three things that FoL picked out from the evening.
A confidence-restoring evening for Jannik Vestergaard
It is safe to say that Jannik Vestergaard has not enjoyed the smoothest of starts for Leicester City with the big Dane coming under frequent criticism for Leicester’s leaky defence. Against Randers however, Vestergaard put in his best display since his debut albeit against an inferior side. He won 100% of his headers whilst also looking good in possession.
Is this the start of a Vestergaard renaissance? Whilst it would be foolish to re-evaluate opinions based on one display, hopefully, confidence will start to increase for Vestergaard as Leicester look to see why they paid £15m for his services. Naturally, the Premier League is an entirely different beast to the Conference League but this display may stop some fans booing the defender which is certainly counter-productive to improving performance.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a future Leicester City captain?
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is emerging as a real talent for Leicester City this season. Once again, he picked up the man-of-the-match award, cementing his status as a regular starter in the midfield. lt was fitting, therefore, that the Englishman would round off the scoring, giving Leicester City much needed breathing space ahead of the second leg.
Whilst Leicester City will probably be losing Youri Tielemans in the summer, Dewsbury-Hall has proven his worth so much that this blow may be softened. The Belgian’s departure will leave a hole in the team but Dewsbury-Hall has shown he is willing to step up to the plate even if he has a different skill set to the Belgian. His infectious energy and movement bring much-needed dynamism to the table which has often been sorely lacking in Leicester sides of late.
Furthermore, KDH has made it clear how he is living the dream, and his local connections to the club will only add to his growing rapport with the fanbase. His passion, drive and quality will stand him in good stead for becoming a future Leicester City captain. Just listen out for his Oasis-themed chant at future matches.
Marc Albrighton’s Lionel Messi moment
Marc Albrighton demonstrated his James Milner-esque versatility once again with a steady performance at left-back. Keeping up the Liverpool theme with a potentially costly slip at the end of the first half, Albrighton didn’t let this phase him in an otherwise comfortable display. One thing that got the fans on their feet was a piece of mesmeric dribbling from the Tamworth-born winger which wouldn’t look out of place if performed by Lionel Messi.
Cutting in from the left-hand side, Albrighton spun away from two players before somehow wriggling between two more opponents and then intelligently feeding the ball to Dewsbury-Hall. Although it didn’t lead to anything more, it was another moment that encapsulates his fan-favourite status.
Injury update
It wouldn’t be a Leicester City display without the obligatory injuries. Apart from the sloppy goal conceded, two more potential injuries puts a minor blemish over a very good display. Both James Maddison and Caglar Soyuncu were forced off prematurely, ‘Madders’ after only coming on as a substitute.
In Brendan Rodgers’ post-match press conference, he explained that Maddison was taken off as a precaution due to feeling unwell. Soyuncu, on the other hand, fell awkwardly and felt something in his knee. Rodgers explained that the Turk will be assessed after the game with more news undoubtedly revealed closer to LCFC’s next clash against Wolves on Sunday.