Maresca: Adjustments The Key
- Leicester City triumphed at home to Millwall on Wednesday evening
- The Foxes returned to the Sky Bet Championship summit following a 3-2 win
- Jannik Vestergaard, Patson Daka and Wilfred Ndidi all scored
- Manager Enzo Maresca reflected on a hard-fought victory at King Power Stadium
Goals from Jannik Vestergaard, Patson Daka and Wilfred Ndidi saw Leicester home following Tom Bradshaw’s early opener. A Kevin Nisbet consolation, in stoppage-time at King Power Stadium, did not prevent the Foxes moving back to the top of the Sky Bet Championship.
“It has been a tough game,” City’s Manager reflected at full-time on Filbert Way. “Especially because we expected them [to play] in one way and they played in a completely different way.
“I think they had just the goal in the first half, then they didn’t create any chances. We didn’t create either because they were defending very deep with a line of five, so it’s difficult. And we prepared for the game in another way.
“In the first half we struggled a little bit to find the space and solutions. We were attacking with five and they were defending with five. Then we adjusted some things after 45 minutes and the second half was much better.
“We attacked with six and brought one more player into the last line. We tried to attack with one more player. We missed some chances in the first few minutes of the second half, we created a lot. It was quite clear that the dynamic changed in the second half.”
Coming from behind to secure the points, City showed their character against a resilient Millwall side, who did not make things easy for the Foxes. A second goal in as many games from Daka became a crucial one.
“I’m very happy for Pat because he deserved it completely,” the 43-year-old continued. “Tonight it was a huge pass from Wilf, the assist was unbelievable. It was a very important goal. We moved him (Ricardo Pereira) into different areas, we moved Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] into a different area, but Ricardo is giving us a lot.
“In the last minutes we were a little bit sloppy. Probably because we were 3-1 up. But also it is a process to learn that in the final minutes you have to keep the ball more and the game has to finish.
“Now we have an important amount of games and for sure we are going to use them all more. They were happy, we were happy, all of us. When we win, it’s always good.”
City Dig Deep For Millwall Win
Leicester City regain top spot in the Sky Bet Championship with a 3-2 win over Millwall at King Power Stadium.
Maresca also provided an update on several of the absentees, with Kelechi Iheanacho in line for a potential return when the Foxes travel to face Birmingham City early next week.
“I think Jamie [Vardy] needs some days,” the Italian confirmed. “Kelechi [Iheanacho] is alright for the next one. Yunus [Akgün] could be for the next one or not. Callum [Doyle] is very close.
“Harry Souttar was ill, so he can be fine for the next one. Marc Albrighton had something in his knee and we don’t know for Monday. Probably the only one we can use on Monday is Kel. The rest are going to struggle.”