City's Youngsters Beaten By Valencia
Goals from Pablo Gozálbez Gilabert and Diego López Noguerol were enough to the see the Foxes side fall to defeat in Seagrave, as the Spanish outfit took the all three points on a cold Wednesday night in the Midlands.
There were four changes from the City side that drew 0-0 to Crystal Palace, only five days ago in Premier League 2 Division 1 action at Selhurst Park.
Arlo Doherty, Joe Wormleighton, Shane Flynn and Ethan Fitzhugh all making the starting XI whilst Chituru Odunze, Kasey McAteer and Zach Booth weren't included in the matchday squad, along with Sammy Braybrooke who made an appearance in last night's first team EFL Cup win against Newport County.
It was the travelling side from Spain who looked the most threatening from the off as they held the majority of possession in the opening periods, but it was Leicester to have the first shot on target.
Having been played the ball by Chris Popov, Fitzhugh took aim from the edge of the box but could only find Carlos Pérez Sánchez between the sticks who managed to make the stop.
Twenty minutes in, the away side saw a number of chances fall to striker Mario Musy Hernández. The first when Noguerol picked out his team-mate who managed to get in behind the Foxes' backline, but couldn't bring the ball under control before being rushed into striking the ball wide by Doherty.
Seconds later, the centre-forward would be in again when he looked to cushion a cross past the Leicester 'keeper on the volley, but the soft finish didn't have the required momentum, and was cleared off the line by Iestyn Hughes.
In the 40th minute, persistence from Valencia paid off when Gilabert fired in from close range, after Rodrigo Rodrigues' initial shot was parried into the path of the captain by Doherty.
Leicester tried to respond with a number of dangerous crosses from Fitzhugh and Wormleighton, but to no avail, and it continued to be Los che who looked more likely to score the next goal of the game and came close moments before the interval.
Rodrigues was once again looking dangerous and found Hernández with a cross, but the physical striker couldn't direct his header and saw the ball flash past the post.
With it all to do, Leicester came out for the second half with more ferocity than was seen in the first. Seven minutes from the restart, Will Alves found an opening, as the playmaker cut in from the left flank, but Sánchez was there to meet the 17-year-old's curling effort before getting up quickly to deny Kian Pennant from the rebound.
Whilst it was an improved second-half display from City, the away side continued to prove a threat and had to stay wary to prevent the game being taken out of their control.
This was evident just past the hour mark when Noguerol burst into the box, however Wormleighton did enough to put the winger off, as the snatched at effort flew high and wide of Leicester's net.
In the 68th minute, City's hard work would be undone as the visitors took a two-goal lead through Noguerol. Against the run of play, a low cross from José David Menargues Manzanarez was finished by the No.19, which confirmed the win for Valencia.
Less than 60 seconds later, the side from Spain almost turned in another low-cross, this time into their own net. As Pennant delivered a dangerous cross into the box, Iván Muñoz Pereñíguez will be counting his blessings that his attempted clearance was the right side of the post.
The final moment of the match came in the form of a red card, when substitute Alberto Marí Sánchez was sent off for a late challenge on Paul Appiah.
After the dismissal, the Foxes continued the search for what would only be a consolation goal, but the backline of Valencia wasn't to be beaten.
Major moment – A killer second goal
Even though Valencia walked away with a clean sheet, there was moments in the second half where Ben Petty will believe that City's youngsters could've capitalised on more. The second goal, scored by Diego López Noguerol settled the scoreline and ensured the win for the away side.
Who impressed? – Will Alves
Against a well-organised and physical opponent, Will Alves continued to show his dribbling ability, and was always on the look out for gaps in the Valencia defence, sometimes forging an opening of his own.
Where do we stand? – Fourth in Group A
After the defeat, Leicester's youngsters remain fourth in Group A of the Premier League International Cup, whilst they are currently 12th in Premier League 2 Division 1 with nine points.
Coming up – Porto (H)
The Foxes youngsters welcome Portuguese side, FC Porto to LCFC Training Ground on Monday 19 December in the Premier League International Cup with a 7pm kick-off.
The details...
City: Doherty; Hughes, Brunt, Appiah, Nelson (Spencer-Adams 72'), Wormleighton; Flynn (Cartwright 80'), Cover (Maswanhise 80'); Fitzhugh, Popov (K. Pennant 7'), Alves.
Subs not used: Chibueze, Briggs, T. Pennant.