Leicester 2-0 Rennes: Tactical tweaks maintain Foxes form

The second goal was about initiations of the high press, and how it shifted with Kelechi Iheanacho’s involvement. By sitting centrally and slightly deeper than Patson Daka, Iheanacho can cover the two centre-backs and also the deepest midfielder. This shifts the progressive passing lanes for the opposition into the wings, where it’s the responsibility of the two wingers (Marc Albrighton and, for the second goal, Ademola Lookman) to instigate the press.

The recently converted Nigerian-international dispossessed Rennes in a great moment for a transition. The decision-making after this point wasn’t great, Iheanacho’s first touch lost possession, but a clever step-up from James Maddison reclaimed it. He tried to delay his pass into the supporting angles but was eventually tackled, but again the supporting midfielders aided the attack as Youri Tielemans collected possession.

Two fast turnovers, that probably should’ve neutralised the attack for the Foxes, eventually found Iheanacho — his finish was perfect. The only slight gap in the goal that was available to him and he found it.

To take a two-goal lead to France does give LCFC a great platform to progress in the UEFA Conference League. There’s still a difficult fixture to be played, and the hosts excel at scoring — 1.96 goals per game in Ligue 1 (with an expected goals [xG] of 1.66 per game). Rodgers needs to accept that we’ll probably concede at the Roazhon Park, so ensuring there’s a goal threat for the Foxes will be important — canceling out their output.