Matchday Live Talking Points: European Experience & Iheanacho’s Contribution
- Leicester City beat Zorya Luhansk 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League
- James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho were all on target in the Foxes’ Group G opener
- The Matchday Live panel were on air post-match to review the result
Strikes from James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho saw City record their biggest-ever home win in Europe as they opened Group G with three points against their Ukrainian opponents.
It could have been a different story had Kasper Schmeichel not denied Vladlen Yurchenko in the first half at 0-0 – and that proved to be one of Matchday Live’s talking points on Thursday after the match.
Praise for Barnes, Praet & Maddison
Iwan Roberts said: “On a couple of occasions in the second half, it could have been so much more for Leicester. Harvey Barnes just has pure pace and he scares the life out of defenders. I thought Dennis Praet was magnificent. They broke up the play and started attacks. James Maddison will be in a far better place after those 65 minutes he had and it was a scrappy goal, but I’d like to see more of those from him.”
Feel-good Foxes
Matt Elliott said: “We got a clean sheet, we scored a few and could have scored more. There’s a feel-good factor now and they’ll go bouncing into the weekend. It’ll be a different challenge, but whatever the opposition, Leicester have got a convincing victory against European opposition.”
Gathering European experience
Gerry Taggart said: “The players will grow in confidence because for a lot of them, it’s their first time in European football, especially in the forward line. Yes, goals are important, we know that, but for your first run out in Europe for a few years, it was a monumental result.”
Kasper’s vital stop
Iwan Roberts said: “It was a massive save in the first half. He didn’t have a lot to do, but it was a great save. Had Leicester had gone behind, who knows what would have happened? It was possibly a wake-up call. The visitors started sharper and they had a 20-minute period. Maybe that was what they needed to kick on.”
Iheanacho’s all-round game
Gerry Taggart said: “Up until the first goal was scored, Kelechi and Harvey Barnes had some good inter-play in the box. The first goal all came from them two linking up, as did the second. What more do you want from your striker? He had a good all-round game. He made no mistakes and probably could have had another. He got a well-earned pat on the back from Brendan Rodgers.”
Kelechi’s contribution
Matt Elliott said: “He’s not had it all his way since joining, but he will be needed throughout the season and he’ll have a part to play, respective whether Jamie Vardy is fit or not. He’ll be contributing regularly and hopefully, he can do so to a good level.”