Matchday Live Talking Points: A Cagey Game, Superb Söyüncü & All To Play For
- Leicester City were held to a goalless draw by Slavia Prague at Sinobo Stadium on Thursday evening
- City host the second leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 encounter with the Czech Republic champions next Thursday
- LCFC TV's Matchday Live show was live on air for 30 minutes after the full-time whistle to dissect the game
- Matt Elliott, Gerry Taggart and Iwan Roberts were all on hand to offer their opinions and analysis
Gerry Taggart, Matt Elliott and Iwan Roberts joined Dan Bates post-match to review the Foxes' 0-0 draw with Slavia Prague in the first leg of the last 32 clash at Sinobo Stadium.
An impressive defensive display from Çağlar Söyüncü and how the tie is shaping up ahead of the second leg were both on the agenda during the 30-minute discussion on LCFC TV after the full-time whistle...
A cagey first leg
Matt Elliott said: "It was one of those evenings and a strange game really, because you'd imagine there to be a little bit of a surge early on from the home team and then things would settle down. But both teams were having a go early on without too much reward. Leicester only had one shot on target for the entirety of the match, which was the Harvey Barnes chance when the 'keeper saved it between his legs, but it was relatively open in the first half hour or so. The longer the game went on, the more cautious both teams got, particularly Leicester. You have to be adaptable and flexible and Leicester just ground out a result that suits them up to point."
Plenty of positives
Gerry Taggart said: "I think it's a well earned draw, disappointing that they couldn't get on the scoresheet, but they'll be pleased that they haven't conceded after coming under sustained pressure in that second half. I don't think Brendan [Rodgers] will have too many issues with the result. Leicester just couldn't get their passing game going this evening, which in turn restricted their opportunities going forward, so a little bit of food for thought for the return leg, but you've got to say, they are still in a healthy position."
Another clean sheet
Iwan Roberts said: "I thought Leicester played well in the first half and set the benchmark with the intensity and tempo that they played with and they never really reached that in the second half. They'll look at this performance, they'll look at where they could have improved, there were too many touches at times by players that were getting closed down in their final third and sometimes you've got to give the opposition credit. They started that second half so quickly, they pressed higher, they won the ball back earlier than what they did in the first half and they never let Leicester settle in the first 20-25 minutes. It was a tough period for Leicester but they've got through it and it's one defeat in 15 and four clean sheets in the last five games. Solid defensively once again, so it's not all doom and gloom."
All to play for
Matt Elliott said: "Of course, getting the away goal or getting the victory would have been that much better, but it wasn't to be. Ultimately, Leicester were relatively content with seeing the game out to a goalless draw and settle for what they'd got. They'll look to the home leg at King Power Stadium to really go and force the issue. I think we saw that Slavia were a decent outfit and very capable, but they didn't look particularly dangerous."
Praise for Çağs
Gerry Taggart said: "It was a night of your defenders coming to the fore and making sure that they were absolutely on the ball. There was only one player that stands out for me. On numerous occasions he got himself across into good defending areas, got his head on balls that were coming into the box, clearances, and that's Çağlar Söyüncü. I thought he was outstanding tonight and deservedly Man of the Match. We heard all about the Prague forward line coming into the game, but Leicester dealt with any issues that were thrown their way quite comfortably I thought and Söyüncü was instrumental in that."
A tough second half
Iwan Roberts said: "Prague probably shaded the second half, they came out far quicker, far sharper, caused Leicester problems, even though Kasper Schemeichel didn't have too much to do in goal. Leicester were slow to start that second half, sloppy in possession, gave the ball away far too cheaply, never really looked a threat going forward, until maybe the last 10 minutes and especially when [Cengiz] Ünder and [Kelechi] Iheanacho came on. They found it hard to get Harvey Barnes into the game, unlike the first half, but it's a draw. Leicester will be firm favourites now they've got the second leg at home."