Be More Clinical, Says Maresca
- Leicester City were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline against Hull
- Liam Delap’s early goal separated the sides on Filbert Way
- The defeat ended a perfect start to the Sky Bet Championship season
- The Foxes were unlucky to not take a point from the game, according to Enzo Maresca
Liam Delap’s 15th minute goal ended the Foxes’ 100 per cent start to the Sky Bet Championship season on matchday five of 2023/24, as Maresca’s side failed to score themselves for the first time this term.
Providing insight from the Manager’s point of view, the Italian felt Leicester were unfortunate to come away empty handed having created several opportunities to equalise following the early opener.
He reflected: “We probably deserved something more, but sometimes the football is what it is. I think we started well until they scored the goal and then for 15-20 minutes, we struggled a little bit.
“Then in the last 10 minutes we adjusted some things, and the second half was completely under control, we created chances, but sometimes the ball does not want to go inside the goal.
Although suffering defeat on Filbert Way on Saturday, it has still been a positive beginning to Maresca’s time in charge of the Foxes, who now sit third in the early league standings.
The Manager continued: “I don’t know if it’s luck or that we need to be a bit more clinical there, but the important thing for me is to create chances and then sometimes they go in and sometimes not.
“But even today, especially in the second half, I think we deserved at least a draw. We need to analyse the performance for sure and for me the first 10 minutes we started quite well and then they scored.
“We lost a little bit of the control and the balance for 15 minutes and then the last 10 minutes of the first half and the complete second half I think the team was good. It is what it is. It is a good start because we always judge the results.”
'We'll Learn & Get Better'
Manager Enzo Maresca reflects on Leicester City's 1-0 loss to Hull City in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Foxes made nine summer signings and integrating those players into the squad will be key focus over the upcoming international break.
One of those new recruits, Ghana winger Abdul Fatawa, looked lively on his debut after being introduced from the bench. There is plenty of competition in that area of the pitch, too.
“He is that kind of player who is very good in one vs. one,” the 43-year-old analysed. “He has quality, but he arrived only three days ago and the season is very long.
“[Who plays] depends week after week about the game and how they are and sometimes some of them are better, sometimes some of them are a little bit tired, but this is normal.
“Many players will go with their international teams. I think the break is good because it gives us the opportunity to refresh and to recover energy after we played seven games in a short space of time.”