Steve Cooper fielded a predicted side from the start, having Mads Hermansen back in goal, giving Bouba Soumare a chance in midfield, also giving starts to Caleb Okoli and James Justin as they were new from the starting line-up vs. Shrewsbury.
Conor Coady leading the side out in the absence of Jamie Vardy, keeping him on the field instead of playing Jannik Vestergaard who took his place on the bench, also seeing Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Victor Kristiansen back in the squad. Still missing is Wout Faes, hopefully soon back in contention.
Steve Cooper juggled a bit and a return for Abdul Fatawu on the right and Stephy Mavididi on the left, as everything looked more fluid, as well as having Wilfred Ndidi in a more attacking role today than vs. Shrewsbury. He looks to be one of the main men in the Steve Cooper line-up going forward.
Leicester looked superior to Serie B club Palermo, possibly one of the strongest sides in the second tier back in Italy. A change in the attacking use of the full back option this time as it might have to do with the flank players changing sides, as we did see James Justin much higher in the field and Ricardo Pereira laying low alongside Coady and Okoli, so a change there. Positives of course to see Abdul Fatawu higher in the field and coming more to use as he created a lot more this time, especially second half.
Leicester didn’t have many clear opportunities first half, but they managed to create a few half chances, but still having the ball and trying hard to break down the Palermo defence. Palermo had their troubles, but still great workrate in defence to keep it even. They also had a steady goalkeeper in newly signed Senegal international, Alfrid Gomis. Leicester came close and should have taken the lead after 36 minutes, but an acrobatic act from Stephy Mavididi in front of goal, became a bit too much, as that massive chance to score was spoiled. Palermo had a major chance to score as well, but in all they should be the happy team, 0-0 at half time.
Steve Cooper made one change for the start of second half, bringing on Danny Ward for Mads Hermansen, as it was a purpose to let players and patterns be used a bit more than just a half, but still it started to look stiff. It never really looked fluid and that chopping and changing of positions most in real stop and hopefully a better pattern will be seen in the games going forward, swopping Fatawu and Mavididi, or playing them out of their best positions, will in the end make things random and difficult.
In the second half it looked a bit more even, Palermo having the ball more creating danger when they came forward. In the 50th minute Palermo could have taken the lead, luckily Conor Coady slided in and stopped the attempt. A bit later Caleb Okoli comes close, but in some way the pass from Harry Winks slides of Okoli’s head.
Leicester looked controlled, but the change of bringing Hamza Choudhury on, made no one happy, as he was switched with Bouba Soumare, and just seconds after he makes a terrible mistake in midfield losing the ball in an area you should not. Then another seldom and terrible touch from Ricardo Pereira gives Palermo the chance to score, so sloppy, so irritating and all down to lack of consentration. Di Francesco wins the ball and his clever shot goes in behind Danny Ward, Palermo i 1-0 up.
Leicester do try to come back and score with several half attempts and some good movement and passing, but it ends up in nothing. A number of more changes done in the latter stages of the game, but not possible to get back, Palermo again closer to 2-0 with a shot in the post, than Leicester getting an equalizer.
The result was far from acceptable, as it was sloppiness from Leicester players that made it possible for Palermo to score, but still watching this game, Leicester should have at least managed a draw at Chesterfield today, but it wasn’t to be.
- Positives
- Steve Cooper again giving loads of players minutes, again having more of the first teamers back
- Playing a bit different today, more attacking and changing Mavididi and Fatawu back to their usual positions, could be a perfect combination in place especially having Victor Kristiansen coming up on the left
- Ndidi playing a top game, he was lively and free in the midfield today, best player on the pitch
- Kaleb Okoli played controlled alongside Conor Coady
- Negatives
- The result, could even have been worse, looks a bit out of control in the boxes
- Not being able to use Patson Daka as he should be used, being locked inside by defenders, he looks a lost case at the moment, looks a lot like last season as the team are playing on other terms and not being able to set him up as he should be
- The use of Ricardo Pereira, not to understand, as he must be given a chance to go forward, then you have to decide on the midfield role as it would be natural to see Harry Winks falling down as a cover whenever a full back moves forward
- Steve Cooper are far from the final outcome, with new faces probably arriving, and hopefully having the solidity needed when the season starts
- Still a lot of back passes when not under pressure, should be pushing forward more and use more energy to get into the box of the opponent
Player Ratings: Hermansen 7, Pereira 4, Coady 6, Okoli 7, Justin 6, Ndidi 8, Winks 6, Soumare 5, Mavadidi 7, Daka 4, Fatawu 6, Subs: Ward 6, Choudhury, De Cordova-Reid, Alves, Golding, Nelson, Kristiansen, Vestergaard, McAteer, Cannon, Thomas
- Leicester City, Man of the Match
Match Stats (H/A)
- Possession: 63 / 36
- Shots on Target:
- Corners: 9 / 2
- Fouls: