The elimination of the rule of the double value of away goals has brought with it first legs in which neither team wants to risk more. In knockout ties with two teams of a similar level it can be very dangerous and the same thing happened in Leicester-PSV.
The goals were missing because the quality chances were missing. Leicester barely tested Mvogo, the substitute goalkeeper given the opportunity by Roger Schmidt after Drommel failed in last Saturday’s 3-3 loss to Twente. Iheanacho had a very clear opportunity in heads-up play, but he crossed the ball too high. Barnes also hit the crossbar, but it wasn’t enough.
Leicester dominated with the ball and PSV wanted to go on the counterattack. The pace of the game was very highbut even so, the necessary spaces were not generated to create the goals. Madueke and Gakpo were a running threat considering Zahavi was totally missing. Rutsu Doan tried something else in the second part without much luck. PSV accepted the tie and Leicester was forced to accept it.
The lack of Vardy, the differential factor of the Brendan Rodgers squad, could have been the cause of this 0-0. The English showed that they have the quality to control a match of this level and create chances, but none were clear. They will have to change things in the second leg if neither wants any casual detail to decide the quarterfinals.
Changes
james justin (66′, Ricardo Pereira ), Ademola Lookman (66′, K.Iheanacho), Ritsu Doan (68′, Zahavy), Patson Daka (80′, Albrighton), Mist (81′, Nonso Madueke), van Ginkel (90′, Gakpo), jordan teze (91′, Mauro Junior)
cards
Albrighton (80′, Yellow