Leicester put on a late show at PSV as late strikes from James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira helped them reach the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
The game had a bright opening period, with both teams looking to make an early mark to get a foothold. Mario Gotze was the architect early on as he capitalised on Youri Tielemans’s erroneous pass to turn provider for Eran Zahavi, firing past Kasper Schmeichel into the bottom corner. Harvey Barnes had missed a glorious chance to level things up just before the PSV goal.
James Maddison then came close to equalising as his deflected shot beat Yvon Mvogo and needed a goal-line clearance from Jordan Teze to keep the score in the home side’s favour. Joey Veerman then came close to doubling PSV’s lead soon after the break, as his shot was deflected and only narrowly missed Schmeichel’s post.
Patson Daka was the next player to inch closer to scoring, and he should have scored with a glorious chance, only to drag his effort wide of the target. Ibrahim Sangare should have put PSV firmly ahead in the tie, and his miss gave Leicester the initiative to take the game by scruff of its neck.
Ayoze Perez’s excellent work and the subsequent cut-back allowed Maddison to finish and level the scores. Ricardo Pereira then popped up to fire home the winner as Leicester City completed a successful comeback, which allowed them entry into the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Leicester City have qualified for their first ever European semi-final.
And they've done it with an 88th minute winner. ? pic.twitter.com/BVYonZBAvf
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 14, 2022
At one point, the game seemed destined to go PSV’s way and probably end the Foxes’ dream of European football next season, but their players made good work of the home side’s profligacy. Here’s how the Leicester City players fared during their dramatic late win over PSV Eindhoven.
Kasper Schmeichel: 6/10
Schmeichel was of help in protecting the scoreline, making a few saves to keep his team in the tie. He should have done better for the opening goal, but the stop to deny Zahavi was sensational.
Ricardo Pereira: 7.5/10
Ricardo Pereira endured a poor first half and had a few terrible moments that could have hurt the Foxes. However, in the second period, he put in an inspired performance on both ends of the pitch, and he popped up with some key tackles. In the end, the Portuguese defender made a telling contribution with the late winner.
Wesley Fofana: 8/10
Fofana was Leicester’s best player on the pitch alongside James Maddison, as the young Frenchman put in a masterful and mature performance at the back. There were some terrific moments on display, but the pace shown by the defender to stop a Zahavi counter was top-notch.
Wesley Fofana's game by numbers vs. PSV:
100% tackles won
107 touches
8 duels won
7x possession won
4 clearances
3 tackles
3 touches in opp. box
2 interceptions
1 chance created
0x dribbled pastHe was fantastic. #UECL pic.twitter.com/xtglNubJvH
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 14, 2022
Jonny Evans: 5.5/10
Evans showed his experience at the back to lead the defence properly, but he had a few bad moments in the match. The ball deflected off the centre-back for the PSV goal, and he should have done better to stop the effort.
Timothy Castagne: 5/10
Castagne was uncomfortable doing defensive work as PSV cut him off from making any progress with the ball.
Youri Tielemans: 4/10
Tielemans did not have the best of evenings, as the Belgian could not get to grips with the pace of the game. It was his sloppy pass that led to the PSV goal, and he had a game to forget.
James Maddison: 8/10
Maddison looked pumped up right from the opening period until the end of the game when he was involved in a decisive moment. The English midfielder got the vital equaliser and deserved the goal for his hard-working displays throughout the evening.
James Maddison for Leicester vs. PSV:
65 touches
8 touches in opp. box (=most)
6 shots (most)
5 take-ons (most)
4 crosses
2 shots on target
1 goalMadders madness. #UECL pic.twitter.com/M8gTeXGgw3
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 14, 2022
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: 7/10
Dewsbury-Hall continued his impressive run and was eluded of a goal or assist due to his deep position. The midfielder was pulling the strings and had a big say in how the Foxes progressed up the pitch. In the end, he was involved heavily in the build-up to Pereira’s winner.
Marc Albrighton: 2.5/10
A disappointing evening for the experienced winger as Albrighton thoroughly struggled to get to grips with the pace of the game. He failed to offer anything of substance and got hooked off at half-time.
Kelechi Iheanacho: 6/10
Iheanacho did well with his hold-up play and was a creative outlet for his team. The Nigerian international proved efficient in stitching attacks together and was surprisingly taken off in the second period.
Harvey Barnes: 3.5/10
Barnes missed one great chance to equalise and was missing his usual spark in the final third. He got taken off at half-time
SUBSTITUTES
Ademola Lookman: 4.5/10
Lookman came on for the ineffective Barnes and did not change the attack too much. He looked one dimensional as PSV defenders figured his play quite easily. However, he was instrumental in the build-up to the second goal.
Patson Daka: 4.5/10
Daka came on for Albrighton and should have made the necessary impact when he was clean through on goal only to drag his effort wide of the target.
Ayoze Perez: 7/10
◉ 65': Subbed on
◉ 77': Assists MaddisonAyoze Perez off the bench to make an impact. #UECL pic.twitter.com/iCcb6Qq0UU
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) April 14, 2022
Perez was the best among the substitutes as his moment of brilliance got Leicester back into the game through the Maddison equaliser.
