Leicester 0-1 Augsburg: 3 Foxes Talking Points

In a frustrating afternoon at the picturesque Illerstadion ground in the Bavarian town of Kempten, Leicester went down to a 0-1 defeat at the hands of a strong and disciplined Augsburg outfit, the winning goal coming from a header from a corner in the first half. What should we make of it?

Formation and line-up

Steve Cooper’s preferred formation is clearer than the personnel he intends to employ. We know that the Foxes’ boss likes to play with a back three when in possession with one of his full-backs occupying a wing-back role. Victor Kristiansen on the left was given that job against Augsburg meaning that Stephy Mavididi played further inside in an attacking midfield position. On the right, Abdul Fatawu played as a winger with support from Bobby De Cordova Reid. Finally, Harry Winks and Wilfred Ndidi were the midfield anchors.

Assuming there are no major incomings before the season starts on the 19th August, it is fair to say that Leicester’s line-up against Spurs will be similar to the one that started in Germany. It is not entirely clear that Cooper’s first choice centre-backs will be Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes, although given their role in the Championship winning team it probable they will start. It is difficult to see Ricardo Pereira not having a starting role, probably on the right with James Justin or Kristiansen on the left. Further forward, the Leicester bosses’ options are more limited with the continued absence of Vardy meaning that Patson Daka may well start the first league match.

Still a lot of work to do

It is hard to avoid the conclusion that Leicester’s performance against Augsburg was extremely disappointing. The team was vulnerable at the back, particularly from set-pieces, and toothless up front. Very few chances were created, a Mavididi shot in the first half after clever play from De Cordova Reid, the only moment of quality. Other than that, a couple of typically speculative long-range efforts from Fatawu and a weak header from the substitute Kasey McAteer were all that the Foxes could muster.

There was nothing in Leicester’s performance which suggested that the up-coming Premier League season won’t be a huge struggle for the club. New faces are desperately needed, a fact which is now widely recognised. In particular, as FoL has pointed out before, additional attacking options are a priority. Goals are proving difficult to come by. Daka, as usual, worked hard but, sadly, was anonymous once again. With Vardy’s injury a concern, a new striker is essential. Moreover, the options in attacking midfield positions are looking thin. De Cordova Reid’s performance was, promising but, at the very least, a replacement for Kiernan Dewsbury Hall on the left is a must.

Thanks for the memories Shakey

It was pleasing to see the Leicester players wearing black arm bands in memory of former Leicester coach and manager Craig Shakespeare whose passing was announced last Thursday. It is difficult to overestimate the impact that Shakey had during his time with the club. As I point out in my book on the Foxes, out next week, one of the key reasons for LCFC's amazing title triumph in 2016 was that Claudio Ranieri changed very little when he replaced Nigel Pearson at the start of the 2015/16 season and, above all, Shakey remained (along with an excellent group of back-room staff). They had worked together to achieve a common goal - initially promotion to the Premier League, and then survival in the top flight – and the new Italian boss knew a good thing when he saw it.

Less well-known is that, after replacing Ranieri towards the end of the 2016/17 season, Craig did a fantastic job keeping Leicester up winning his first five league matches as the boss and losing only four of the club’s last 13 league games. He was also in charge as the Foxes reached the Quarter Final of the Champions League losing only narrowly to Atletico Madrid. What a journey. RIP Shakey.

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