A Strong Last Test – Evans’ Post-Sevilla Thoughts
- Leicester City defeated Sevilla to end pre-season on a high
- Sunday’s match was settled by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's second-half goal
- Jonny Evans captained the Foxes at King Power Stadium
- Fitness is the focus, he says, after coming through 90 minutes
The new 2022/23 campaign is now just a week away, with the Foxes hosting Brentford at King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The final preparations saw City face Rojiblancos on Filbert Way seven days before entertaining the Bees, coming out on top in front of the Blue Army.
Talking through the action with LCFC TV’s Pre-Season Live show, Evans gave an insight into how the game felt from on the pitch, where Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s second-half finish proved to be the difference between the two teams.
“I think the first half was quite tough,” he revealed post-match. “It probably took us a while to get into our rhythm. In the second half, we showed a bit more composure and got the ball down and passed it better.
“Once we got the goal, it didn’t really feel like they were going to get back into it. It’s all about fitness, but it’s always nice to win too. I think we had plenty of chances today, we probably should have scored a few more goals. On the break, there were a few more chances, but we’ll take the win and the clean sheet.”
The Northern Ireland international played the full 90 minutes of the friendly, skippering the side against Julen Lopetegui’s men, who proved tough opponents to break down, particularly in the first half.
Assessing Sunday's challenge, the 34-year-old added: “I think tactically they were very good in the first half. We wanted to get our full-backs on the ball inside and have our wingers wide and the shape that they had nullified that a bit. They changed their shape in the second half and it actually seemed to suit us a bit better.
“That’s what you’ve got to come up against. Spanish teams are usually very good technically and tactically too. I think their manager is renowned for being a really good, tactical manager. He’s got them well drilled and you could see that tonight.”
From a defensive point of view, the shutout was a pleasing aspect of the performance, though there is concern over the fitness of full-back Ricardo Pereira, who was forced off with an injury in the first period.
“It’s just disappointing that a few of the boys picked up injuries,” Evans admitted. “Before the game everyone was fully fit, but it just shows you when the speed of the game goes up a bit and you're playing against a good team tonight, sometimes it’s unavoidable and you get those things.”