Slavia Prague hold Leicester to goalless draw in first leg of Europa League last-32 tie
Prague 0-0 Leicester: Brendan Rodgers’ side will remain hopeful of progressing
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Leicester are in pole position to advance to the last 16 of the Europa League after recording a 0-0 draw at Slavia Prague on Thursday night.
The Foxes’ stalemate meant they left the Eden Arena as favourites to progress after the first leg of their last-32 tie.
Boss Brendan Rodgers has never reached the last 16 of the competition after four attempts with Liverpool and Celtic. But after a draw in the Czech Republic the Foxes will be confident ahead of next week’s second leg at the King Power Stadium.
READ MORE: Dominant Man United smash past Sociedad to all but progress in Europa League
Harvey Barnes was denied by Slavia goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar in the first half but the visitors struggled to maintain their threat after the break. They needed Kasper Schmeichel to turn Nico Stanciu’s drive over as the hosts were also left frustrated.
The Foxes started well as Marc Albrighton shot wide and James Maddison fired over inside the opening four minutes. Nine minutes later Youri Tielemans’ crossfield ball released Barnes ahead of Alexander Bah and the winger burst into the box only to be denied by Kolar from close range.
Yet it was the only serious chance the Foxes carved out in the first half at the Eden Arena.
The Czech champions created brief openings, with Bah heading the best of them wide at the far post, but they were restricted despite 14-goal top scorer Abdallah Sima’s endeavour.
In a reflection of the half Leicester snatched at their other chances as Barnes hooked wide and had penalty claims waved away while Tielemans dragged wide just before the break.
They remained positive – especially with in-form Barnes’ relentless desire to go forward – until losing their momentum after the break.
Slavia unsettled the Foxes, Schmeichel gathering Stanciu’s free-kick, before the Romania international forced the goalkeeper to turn his 25-yard drive over after 58 minutes.
It was a marked difference from Leicester’s first-half display where, while they were never dominant, there was always a degree of control. That had been lost and with Jamie Vardy suffering a rare off night he was replaced by Kelechi Iheanacho just after the hour.
The striker, though, was immediately booked after catching Jakub Hromada and will miss next week’s second leg.
James Maddison came off for Hamza Choudhury 12 minutes later as Rodgers ensured Leicester held firm.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments