Leicester City have played three times in their pre-season, against sides in lower divisions, as Brendan Rodgers looks to get his players’ fitness back up to scratch after the summer break.
Although results may have not gone in the way Rodgers may have hoped for, many players have been able to get valuable minutes in a Foxes shirt, with youngster’s also getting the chance to try and impress for the new season.
Here is how Leicester’s have done in their opening three clashes of pre-season:
Burton Albion
Leicester’s first friendly of the summer came against League One opposition, Burton Albion. The Brewers were looking to test the Premier League side, as they looked to strengthen for the new season to attempt to climb the table. A trophy was on the cards for this clash, with the annual Bass Charity Vase going ahead, with all funds raised going to hospitals.
It wasn’t Leicester’s best game, it’s fair to say, after a lethargic and slow paced performance. Leicester barely created a clear-cut chance for themselves, as the game headed for penalties. Three missed conversions from 12 yards, lead to the Brewers taking the win, as Leicester lost out. Despite that, 22 players all got 45 minutes, which Rodgers was intending to do.
Wycombe Wanderers
Leicester's second pre-season clash came against Wycombe Wanderers, a side who’d just been relegated to the Sky Bet Championship. The Foxes made the trip to Adams Park, in what was another disappointing performance from Rodgers' men.
A similar story to Burton Albion occurred, with the Blues not creating chances, and couldn’t get into a rhythm. Rodgers yet again swapped the 11 at half-time, to give players a run out. The game looked to be heading for a goal-less draw, that was until Daryl Horgan fired in from close range to give the Wycombe fans something to cheer about on their return to the ground. It was a sloppy performance from the Foxes, but nothing to be concerned about in pre-season.
Queens Park Rangers
In Leicester’s third and most recent friendly, the game ended in a thrilling draw against Championship side, Queens Park Rangers. The home side put up a brilliant fight against the Emirates FA Cup holders, and were rewarded with a well-deserved draw.
After going 2-0 down with just 15 minutes to go, it looked likely QPR would win the game. But in the space of 2 minutes, Leicester levelled thanks to strikes from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Patson Daka. QPR regained their lead again, before they conceded late on to a Kelechi Iheanacho spot kick. It was a tremendously entertaining game, despite it being a friendly. It was a great workout for both sides, and a much more positive display from the Foxes.