Leicester City put their domestic woes behind them to start their UEFA Europa Conference League campaign in dominating fashion against Randers.
Leicester City fans have been missing the goals galore at the King Power Stadium, and their team delivered, albeit against an unheralded opposition in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The match was also the Foxes’ first game in the third-tier competition, which they will be happy to have begun on a winning note.
Wilfried Ndidi, Harvey Barnes, Patson Daka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall got on the scoresheet, but Kasper Schmeichel would be disappointed to have not kept a clean sheet. With Brendan Rodgers’s future at the club in doubt, such a performance should boost the confidence of the players and managers alike.
Leicester have a healthy lead over their Danish opponents, meaning Rodgers can rest some of his first-team stars for next week’s trip away from home. The manager will also be taking the competition in all its seriousness as winning it would help Leicester enter into next season’s Europa League.
Their league position is not very healthy, and it will take a monumental effort to climb out of their current predicament and qualify for European places. In any case, they have the perfect opportunity with the Conference League to remain in continental competitions, and Rodgers will be hoping the result against Randers is the start of something new. Here are the player ratings from Leicester’s win over Randers.
Leicester have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven games across all competitions.
❌ vs Watford
❌ vs Tottenham
❌ vs Brighton
❌ vs Nottingham Forest
❌ vs Liverpool
❌ vs West Ham
❌ vs RandersLeaky in defence. ? pic.twitter.com/og5R86fnoE
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 17, 2022
Kasper Schmeichel: 6/10
Schmeichel will be disappointed with the goal he conceded, although the Randers attackers barely tested him throughout the match. He was commanding in the box and rarely had any concerns with his handling.
Daniel Amartey: 7/10
Amartey started at right-back and did a good job in the end. Some of his passing was accurate, and he also ended up missing a sitter, which luckily did not cost his side too much. Playing in an unorthodox position, the Ghanaian did a fair job supporting Lookman on his flank.
Caglar Soyuncu: 7/10
Soyuncu needed such a game after some difficult central defensive performances in recent weeks. He read the game very well against Randers, and the Turkish star provided some good long balls in forward areas. Overall, it was a comfortable evening for the defender, who will certainly look forward to more such occasions.
Jannik Vestergaard: 6.5/10
A very composed game from Vestergaard, who came looking for a reprieve after being criticised for some of his performances this season. He kept the Randers attackers quiet as he won everything that came in his path.
Marc Albrighton: 6/10
Albrighton had a solid game, although he gets a lower rating due to his involvement in the Randers goal when he slipped. In hindsight, it was an unorthodox position at left-back for the player, who prefers to operate in the attack on the right side. However, he did have his moments and will be satisfied with the display.
Wilfried Ndidi: 6.5/10
Both of Wilfred Ndidi's goals this season have come in European competition.
⚽️ vs Legia Warsaw
⚽️ vs RandersA specialist on the continent. pic.twitter.com/3YZG0SHLtl
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 17, 2022
Ndidi got himself on the scoresheet, which is somewhat rare. Ndidi controlled the midfield quite comfortably and proved a reliable outlet defensively. But he was responsible for losing the runner in the build-up to the Randers goal.
Ademola Lookman: 8/10
Despite a poor start to his evening, the attacker grew into the game and produced a brilliant performance to end up with a goal while also playing a key role in all four strikes.
Important win. 2 Assists ?️?️ and a great 1st goal at King Power from @KDH__8 ❤️⚽️ @LCFC pic.twitter.com/MOGruE5XXW
— Ademola Lookman (@Alookman_) February 18, 2022
Youri Tielemans: 7/10
The Belgian had a comfortable evening, asserting himself well to not allow Randers any sniff at getting the ball for most parts. Tielemans’s deliveries were superb, and he played a crucial role in the proceedings through his good link-up play with Lookman.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: 8/10
Dewsbury-Hall was adjudged the man of the match, for the youngster put in a solid performance and got himself on the scoresheet. Some of his chance-creation work was classy, while the overall form he currently finds himself in could make him indispensable for Rodgers.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has scored the second European goal of his senior career.
⚽️ vs Napoli
⚽️ vs RandersThe Foxes are running rampant. #UECL pic.twitter.com/TetET4hTsA
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 17, 2022
Harvey Barnes: 7.5/10
Barnes quickly grew into his role despite a slow start and tormented the Randers defence with his usual guile. Apart from delivering good crosses into the box and creating chances, the attacker got himself a goal, which was very important in the context of the game.
Patson Daka: 6.5/10
Daka might have scored a goal in the game, but his overall performances would have left Brendan Rodgers and Leicester fans asking plenty of questions despite his teammates creating plenty for him. His influence in the final third was somewhat limited due to the habit of going deep to collect balls and making very little use of his blistering pace.
Patson Daka has scored 10 goals for Leicester City this season.
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ #UEL
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ Premier League
⚽️ #UECLMaking his mark. ? pic.twitter.com/kKWFeJHVMJ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 17, 2022
SUBSTITUTES
Kelechi Iheanacho: 6/10
Iheanacho missed a great chance, and it could be overlooked for the performance he delivered. Set the tone for the fourth goal and provided a brilliant assist for Lookman’s strike. He seems to be getting back to his usual self, and Leicester would need him at his best for the rest of the season, especially in the Conference League.
James Maddison: 5/10
Maddison struggled to have any meaningful impact after coming on and seemed a bit off on the evening. He hobbled off with an injury, which should be a cause of concern for Leicester City fans.
Hamza Choudhury: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Boubakary Soumare: N/A
A late introduction in the game when it was already won. He should have started in such an encounter, and he probably will in the second leg.
Ayoze Perez: N/A
He should have started this encounter; instead, he was a late substitute.
