Leicester’s season rests on one monumental match

Leicester City’s season rests on one monumental match- the anticipatory second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals against José Mourinho’s A.S. Roma.

The first leg had its fair share of narratives which is irrelevant by now, as the game concluded in a stalemate for each side. This year, after the scrapping of the away goals rule, Roma doesn’t have the advantage to rely upon as would have been in the case of the earlier scenarios. It’s a winner takes all game with the inaugural final of the tournament at stake for both sides.

The King Power club committed a costly mistake, which led to a Lorenzo Pellegrini goal in the first leg. As is the nature of any Mourinho side, they sat back and let the Foxes enjoy possession by defending deep to protect their lead.

Luckily for Brendan Rodgers, the team conjured something up out of their extra possessions to result in an equalizer. That brings us to the second leg, which has become the season decider for only one party. Please now click the link directly below this paragraph and it will take you to the subsequent page of the article.

What’s at stake for Leicester City and their opposition?

Roma wants to qualify for the UEFA Europa League next season. Their current standing in the Serie A will only yield them a berth in the same European tournament they are playing right now. With three games remaining, Mourinho’s side is yet to punch their tickets on a set path.

Trailing behind Lazio, with a -2 goal difference, the side has three exact games to usurp their position and go above by a place to claim the 5th spot in the league and their aspirations. Or else winning the Conference League remains the only other possibility to reap the same reward, just with an added silverware along the way.

Compared to their opposition- the Foxes don’t have any such alternatives to pick from. It’s an all-or-nothing situation for the East Midlanders, as only winning the semi-finals by any means necessary can push the outfit on the right track.

The five remaining Premier League fixtures don’t promise much for the Foxes. Just climbing or dropping down a few positions from the current 11th is ultimately at stake. Every egg is in the basket for the upcoming semi-finals. Winning against Roma is the utmost priority to guarantee a chance to play in the first-ever finals of this new competition. Again if Leicester City manages to win the whole thing, then as a reward they are set to compete in the Europa League automatically for next year.

Losing is not an option, but pragmatically it is

On the other hand, it will be rather unpleasant and uneventful if Leicester City does not appear in any of the three European competitions next season. It has become a matter of prestige and reputation that the outfit will be expected to meet on a seasonal basis.

The identity of the club is associated with disrupting the top six hierarchy. Leicester City has done that over the span of the last two seasons by claiming a top-six position in the Premier League. They have played in the second tier of Europe for back-to-back seasons now.

The bookmakers made the Foxes a favorite, alongside Napoli, to win the Europa League this year, but unfortunately, they couldn’t get past the group stage. With injuries further hampering their league throughout the year, their only salvation can now come through reaching the finals of Europe.

The implications of winning this tournament not only earn the side a prestigious silverware but also ushers in a dignified recognition. It would bring joy to countless supporters of the club. The player poaching ahead of an upcoming summer rebuild needs to be magnified by several folds.

Without Europe,  LCFC would be forced to settle with secondary or tertiary transfer choices. Most prospects prefer to play in the big leagues but importantly, join clubs that participate in European competitions every year.