Leicester defeated its closest competitors to dominate European League Group G and make a nice piece of history. Two goals by Kelichi Iheanacho and one by Dennis Bright and James Madison helped the club achieve its biggest margin of victory in the continental competition.
Most importantly for the future, Brendan Rodgers’ side has the most points from three group matches this season and could confirm early qualification for the knockout stages with a win over Braga again when he travels to Portugal in three weeks.
Braga wasn’t easy going and it gave Leicester some horror here before he sure wins. There have been plenty of individual performances to admire – especially Madison and Wesley Fofana – but what struck me most was Leicester’s overall prowess and competence, even amid a string of injuries and with four voluntary changes to the squad from the Premier League on Monday. Victory over Leeds.
“[Braga] “A very good team, they caused us some problems in the first half,” Rodgers said. “In the second half we showed our strength and style and our attacking play was very good. We scored four good goals and maybe we could have scored one or two more. It was a great victory.”
Leicester looked strong without threatening to slip into the smart visitors’ defense until the 20th minute, when Iheanacho practically ran the ball into the net after a quick 1-2 with Madison. The Nigerian player was allowed to dash into the six-yard box, at which point Matthews, the goalkeeper, tried to block him but only succeeded in sending the rebound ball from him and back towards the goal, leaving the striker to push it into the keeper. Network.
Matthews did better just before the break when he mis-led Madison after a brilliant service from Iheanacho. Immediately after the break, however, the goalkeeper was baffled when Iheanacho’s seemingly innocuous shot from 25 yards was redirected into the net by deflecting Bruno Viana. Iheanacho then turned into a resource, sending a ragged pass across the goalkeeper’s face to divert Dennis Praet moments after he was inserted off the bench.
Madison got the goal his performance deserved when he defeated two defenders and finished at close range. It was a perfect way for him to respond to being deleted from England national team led by Gareth Southgate. He said, “I want to be on the team.” “It’s a dream since I was a kid and I tasted it.”
