Matchday Live Talking Points: Fitness, Finishing & A Statement Performance
- Leicester City triumphed 4-0 against SC Braga in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening
- The Foxes ended the Portuguese side's 100 per cent record, whilst extending their own winning streak in the competition
- Kelechi Iheanacho (2), Dennis Praet and James Maddison were all on the scoresheet at Leicester City Stadium
- Matt Elliott, Gerry Taggart and Paul Dickov analysed the performance on LCFC TV's Matchday Live show after the final whistle
City legends Matt Elliott, Gerry Taggart and Paul Dickov were all part of Thursday's night's LCFC TV broadcast, sharing their thoughts on another excellent European night for the Foxes.
Kelechi Iheanacho's brace and further goals from Dennis Praet and James Maddison rounded off a comfortable evening at Leicester City Stadium, to leave City top of Group G on nine points from a possible nine.
The panel discussed the group standings, as well as Leicester's high level of performance and the contributions of several key players...
A statement performance
Paul Dickov said: "When you look at the changes that were made, the players that came in, how they reacted to it. People may see the scoreline and think Braga aren't really a good team, they are, they've just won six games on the bounce and to produce a performance like that, Leicester were very disciplined in the first half, but second half, some of the one-touch football, interchanging play between the lines, pace and power was a big statement, not just for the group stages, but for the Europa League.
Fitness levels key
Gerry Taggart said: "What a performance, especially in that second half. Brendan Rodgers was urging his team on, he wanted more, because the goals were there, but they got four, which is no mean feat in itself. The bigger the opposition, the more Leicester City are able to deal with that and that's exactly what happened tonight. I think Braga decided to go toe-to-toe with them after going 2-0 down and it was the biggest mistake they made. We've talked about Leicester's fitness levels and by 70 minutes, Braga were out on their feet. They just could not cope with the pace, the intensity, the veracity of the football. And when you amalgamate the fitness levels with the quality of football as well, they just tore them to shreds in that second half. Brendan Rodgers will be absolutely over the moon yet again and the Leicester squad are showing everybody what a quality team this is.
Impressive Iheanacho
Matt Elliott said: "To score the two goals, one assist, he could have had one or two others actually, but the way things have gone for him of late, fair play to him for sticking at it and persevering because when he was not considered to start for the Arsenal game, he could have taken that as a huge personal blow. But he's come back strong and he's performed brilliant tonight and he's back in the manager's thoughts. He's a big part of the squad, as is each and every member.
Contributions all over the pitch
Paul Dickov said: "It's very easy to pick out Kelechi Iheanacho for his goals, James Maddison, [Youri] Tielemans, but [Wesley] Fofana at the back was outstanding and I thought [Hamza] Choudhury in the middle of the park broke up absolutely everything and was everywhere. Not just the team, but the squad is looking super strong, super fit, with loads of quality in it at the minute. To score four goals and keep a clean sheet without two of your main centre halves, as well.
A quality showing
Matt Elliott said: "Leicester were bang on the money, they followed out the instructions to a tea again, started out nice and safe and secure, feel their way into the game and take advantage of the opportunities when they come their way. And they know they are going to. They've got the quality to expose the opposition and it's just a matter of finishing those opportunities off and they are doing it regularly. Once they get themselves in a healthy position, they've got the quality to keep the ball, get a stranglehold on the game and it's a matter of just finishing those opportunities off and they are doing it regularly at the moment. Once they get themselves into a healthy position, they have the quality to keep the ball and the opposition at the moment are just wilting. Leicester are looking stronger and stronger as the game goes on. Monday was hugely impressive and tonight equally so.
City's group position
Gerry Taggart said: "It gives them a really nice cushion now, you're going into the game on Sunday (against Wolves) and the international break and then when they come back it all starts up again. Obviously Leicester only have one home game left and that's against AEK Athens, who they've already beaten away from home. When you look at the table, I think 13 points would probably be enough to top the league so you've got to really strongly fancy them. The next game is away to Braga so that's an important game to whether or not they top the group and with regards to the following two games and team selection, resting players, a little bit more rotation, giving the experienced players time off, getting ready for the last 32. I've been that impressed by them in this campaign, I cannot see them not qualifying."