Leicester and PSV Eindhoven had an entertaining 0-0 draw at King Energy Stadium to depart the European Convention League quarter-finals forward of the second leg subsequent week.
Harvey Barnes hit the bar with a convincing first-half shot in what was Leicester’s greatest likelihood of the match, however Brendan Rodgers’ facet have been unable to interrupt via earlier than Thursday’s journey to the Netherlands.
PSV Eindhoven, that includes 2014 World Cup winner Mario Gotze, began off brightly and went as shut as attainable when the German was performed throughout objective after beating the offside lure in simply the second minute, solely to see his effort thwarted by the outstretched Kasper. Schmeichel.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor of Leicester fights with Iran Zahavi of PSV
Leicester then developed into the sport and had their very own guilt-free likelihood to advance, however Kelechi Iheanacho fired the ball large within the twentieth minute with solely PSV goalkeeper Yvonne Mfugo to win.
Then Barnes hit the woodwork for the hosts simply earlier than halftime when he made a fast 1-2 with Iheanacho within the penalty space earlier than seeing his highly effective hitter bounce off the crossbar.
5 minutes into the second half, referee Ivan Kruzliak ignored the large pleas from the PSV Eindhoven followers when Ricardo Pereira appeared to have arrested Cody Gakbo however with VAR not turned on, the match remained goalless.
Leicester struggled to create any clear probabilities after the break and the match fizzled out, with each side probably cautious of staying tied forward of subsequent Thursday’s second leg at Phillips Stadium. The winner will face Roma or Bodo/Glimt within the spherical of 4, with the Norwegian staff main that confrontation 2-1.
Rodgers: We are able to win in Holland
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After his facet’s 0-0 Europa League draw at dwelling to PSV Eindhoven, Leicester Metropolis coach Brendan Rodgers stated Leicester are properly positioned for subsequent week’s match within the Netherlands.
Leicester supervisor Brendan Rodgers: “We have proven sufficient and seen sufficient to know we are able to go on the market and win.
“No matter it was, it was at all times going to be tight. You wished to win it, however it wasn’t like that.
“We have proven we are able to maintain on defensively and we’ll go there with sufficient hope that they will in all probability open up somewhat bit extra, giving us somewhat bit extra space.
“It is properly balanced, I feel it was an excellent match. PSV have been closed somewhat bit greater than ordinary so house was restricted, however other than their likelihood early on, we defended very well.
“We had our two greatest probabilities within the match. There weren’t many probabilities however that is what you’ll anticipate right now of the competitors.
“With extra finesse and precision in our passes, we’d have the ability to open the scoring. We’re nonetheless in an excellent place.”
Brendan Rodgers was delighted with Leicester’s efficiency in opposition to PSV Eindhoven
Schmidt: It was a transparent penalty
PSV Eindhoven wished a penalty when Pereira slipped and attacked Jaco initially of the second half, however with out VAR, their protests light.
Eindhoven coach Roger Schmidt He stated: “I noticed it, it was a transparent penalty. I am not an enormous fan of VAR so I am unable to complain. It was a penalty, however it’s the a part of soccer the place referees make the incorrect choices.
“We settle for that and we have now to concentrate on it subsequent week. We performed a very good recreation. We needed to undergo generally, however we performed in opposition to a very good opponent.
“General, I am very pleased with the efficiency. Within the first half we had good wins with the ball, however within the transitions we weren’t quick sufficient to be obtainable for passes ahead.”
Three video games for Leicester from their first European remaining
Dan Sansom from Sky Sports activities:
Brendan Rodgers admitted he did not even know what a European Convention League was when Leicester fell to the competitors in December, however together with his facet now solely three video games away from their first European remaining, he is taking it very significantly.
“He has chosen the strongest attainable squad with mascot Jamie Vardy nonetheless absent via harm, and Thursday night time’s excellent efficiency in opposition to a harmful facet PSV underlined Leicester’s enchancment in current instances.
“Regardless of remaining tenth within the Premier League in a disappointing season domestically, the Foxes have racked up six wins and two attracts from 11 video games in all competitions. They’re now unbeaten in seven video games at King Energy Stadium, with the most recent loss coming in opposition to Tottenham on January 19.
“They’ve confronted Eindhoven, who are actually undefeated in 14 video games and simply 4 factors behind Ajax led by Erik ten Hag within the Eredivisie title race. They’re competing in Europe for the forty eighth consecutive season, and that is Leicester’s sixth season in continental soccer.
“Leicester’s final European quarter-final match was the 2017 Champions League match with Atletico Madrid. Regardless of competing with the European elite 5 years in the past and exiting early from the Europa League this season, the primary European remaining within the membership’s historical past is now on the horizon.
“If they’ll get via what is going to undoubtedly be a troublesome take a look at within the Netherlands subsequent week, they are going to face both Bodo/Glimt or Jose Mourinho’s Roma within the semi-finals. With Marseille, PAOK Thessaloniki, Feyenoord or Slavia Prague remaining from the competitors. Groups, FA Cup winners The Premier League final season might be assured going ahead.”
Opta stats: Leicester preserve one other European clear sheet
- Leicester Metropolis have misplaced solely as soon as of their final 16 matches within the European competitors (W10 D5), and have stored eight clear sheets.
- PSV Eindhoven haven’t gained any of their final 4 European matches in opposition to English groups (D3 L1), with three of them knocked out from their dwelling grounds, and the Dutch staff has scored solely as soon as in these three matches.
- Leicester failed to attain within the European competitors for the primary time in 9 matches. The Foxes averaged 2.5 objectives per recreation of their earlier eight video games, scoring 20 objectives in whole.
- PSV Eindhoven haven’t gained any of their final 23 matches within the quarter-final stage of a significant European competitors (D12 L11) since their 4-2 victory over 1. FC Magdeburg in March 1978. Their final first-leg win right now returned the stage in March 1971 vs. Vorwärts Berlin within the Cup Winners’ Cup.
- Regardless of his exit within the 67th minute, Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho tried twice as many pictures (4) as every other participant within the match, with solely Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor creating (3) extra probabilities than the Nigerian (2).
- Leicester scored 24 touchdowns within the opponent’s field in opposition to PSV Eindhoven, essentially the most in a single European dwelling recreation (excluding qualifiers) with out a objective since their Champions League debut in 2016-2017.
What subsequent for Leicester?
Sunday April 17 1:30 PM
Begins at 2:15 pm
Leicester return to the Premier League matches on Sunday once they host Crystal Palace. The match begins at 2 pm. The second leg of the Europa League quarter-final in opposition to PSV Eindhoven will happen on 14 April. Departure at 5.45 pm.
Then Brendan Rodgers’ staff travels to Newcastle three days later Tremendous Sundaygo on along with your life Sky Sports activities Premier League; Departure at 2.15 pm.
