Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday continued their preparations for the new season as they drew 0-0 at the Loughborough University Stadium on Saturday.
With the new Premier League and Championship seasons set to get underway in just a couple of weeks' time, it was a competitive friendly meeting in the East-Midlands but neither side were quite able to notch a winning despite a host of opportunities.
Story of the Match
Bright start for Leicester
It was the Premier League outfit who started the brighter of the two in Loughborough and could have seized the lead early on. First, Dennis Praet had a long-range effort well-saved before James Justin's attempted first-time finish from Jamie Vardy's cross was well-blocked.
Despite Leicester's early chances, the Owls actually had the better of them. From a deep free-kick, defender Dominic Iorfa got away from the Foxes defence but somehow put his free header high over the bar from just a few yards out.
One player particularly who would have been looking forward to the clash was Vardy, who was released by the Owls as a youngster. He could have scored the opener against his boyhood club mid-way through the first half as he got on the end of a great cross from Justin but Cameron Dawson saved his volley well.
Chances missed in the second-half
Following a bright opening portion, the game headed into a bit of a lull with both Garry Monk and Brendan Rodgers making numerous changes as their preparations for the new season continued.
One of those substitutes, Kelechi Iheanacho, almost sparked the game into life by picking the ball up on the half-way line and showed fantastic skill to evade a handful of challenges. His finish was disappointing though as he pulled a low effort wide of the near post.
Demarai Gray then had a couple of opportunities as he at first placed a shot wide from Barnes' cross. He was also released in behind but a fantastic stop from Joe Wildsmith denied the wideman after he cut in onto his left.
It wasn't just Leicester who were guilty of missing glorious openings. The Owls should have profited from a poor pass from Justin that was picked off by Conor Grant and played into the path of Charles Hagan but the forward shot beyond the far post.
In the end, neither side were able to edge ahead. Following this match, Leicester now look ahead to their next friendly against another Championship side, Blackburn Rovers. Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday can look forward to a Carabao Cup clash with Walsall next weekend.
Takeaways
Lack of clinical edge
Whilst it is tough to read too much into friendlies, especially this year, the lack of a finishing touch from both sides could concern Brendan Rodgers and Garry Monk. Both the Foxes and Owls had numerous opportunities to make the net bulge throughout the clash but none of them were taken.
Each manager will be keen for their sides to be more ruthless as the 2020/21 kickoff edges ever closer.
Centre-back problems for Leicester?
The last thing that the Foxes needed today was an injury, especially in defence. That is exactly what happened with captain Wes Morgan going down injured in the first-period. Should he be out for an extended period, that just leaves the East-Midlanders with Caglar Soyuncu and Filip Benkovic as the only fit senior centre-backs at the club. Any more injuries could create massive problems for Rodgers.
It remains to be seen whether or not he will dip into the transfer market to bolster his backline.
Good exercise
It goes without saying that this pre-season is the strangest in memory, with the previous season only ending just four weeks ago. However, fitness does not look a particular problem for both the Owls and the Foxes. The workout looked extremely useful for both sides and they will hope it is a positive ahead of the new campaign.