Extra-Time Talking Points: VAR Discussion, Tactical Changes & Praet’s Dynamism
- Matt Elliott and Iwan Roberts discussed Leicester City’s 1-0 home defeat against Manchester City on Extra-Time
- The Foxes were undone by a late Gabriel Jesus strike, after Kasper Schmeichel had saved Sergio Agüero’s penalty
- Next up is the trip to Carrow Road to face Norwich City on Friday 28 February (8pm kick-off)
- Live coverage of the match will be available on LCFC Radio from 5pm
Brendan Rodgers’ side were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline at King Power Stadium, with the visitors’ late goal coming courtesy of substitute Gabriel Jesus. The result leaves Leicester third in the Premier League standings going into Friday night's game.
As well as VAR, Monday’s Extra-Time panel also discussed the tactical changes Rodgers employed and praised the Foxes manager for moving to a different system, despite losing the game.
Positives in defeat
Matt Elliott said: “We can take some positives from the way Leicester applied themselves. There was a different approach - different tactics and also the style of play. It was more direct than normal, looking to hit Manchester City on the counter-attack. It nearly came off on a number of occasions, it was just that final pass or run that came up short. They looked comfortably within that system so it’s nice to know that they can employ it later in the season.”
VAR debate
Matt Elliott said: “Leicester should have put the pressure on the referee a bit, it definitely has a bearing to a degree. It can certainly make them at least check it. They didn’t check the [Kelechi] Iheanacho one, either. It was weak defending [from Kevin De Bruyne], you shouldn’t be putting your hands up to the side of your face. It was nowhere near his face in the end. On reflection, that was a penalty 100 per cent.”
No need to panic
Iwan Roberts said: “It’s one win in six Premier League games, but it was unlucky against Chelsea, it was a good performance against Wolves, keeping a clean sheet. City dominated possession, they always do that, but I can’t remember Kasper [Schmeichel] having too much to do apart from the penalty save and a save in the first half. The players adapted well and all in all it was very unlucky.”
Tactical change worked
Matt Elliott said: “I thought it was quite inventive of Brendan to employ that back three. It enabled them to fan out the defensive unit and effectively turn into a back five. [Ben] Chilwell could get that bit closer to [Riyad] Mahrez with support from the centre-half, or from midfield with [James] Maddison tucking in, so you had more bodies in there. They were coping well defensively, working hard in midfield and it restricted City in an attacking sense.”
Dennis’ dynamism
Iwan Roberts said: “It’s another string to [Dennis] Praet’s bow that he can play there as I don’t think he was signed as a defensive midfielder. He’s got more about him than that too, he can get forward as he has done this year, he can score goals and makes good runs into the opposition penalty area. But when needs be when you’re short of bodies in that position, it just goes to show that he can fill that role.”
Deserved more from the game
Matt Elliott said: “It just wasn’t Leicester’s day. A point would have been well deserved, but it wasn’t to be. That little bit of class just came through at the wrong time. All round they equipped themselves well.”
All times GMT.