City Under-19s Reflect On Mercedes-Benz Junior Cup

Trevor Peake’s men were pitted against illustrious opposition, many of whom were more familiar with the six-a-side format, but City left Stuttgart with a 50 per cent win rate despite their relative inexperience under the testing circumstances. 

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Cal Templeton, too, continued his breakthrough year for the Academy by becoming the joint top-goalscorer with five strikes to his name with Peake's 12-man squad thriving in front of a sell-out crowd and a six-figure live audience on German digital television. 

Before flying home to the UK on Sunday morning, a number of the Leicester players spoke to LCFC TV across the two days in Germany - with all in agreement that it was a thoroughly rewarding trip. 

Templeton, whose unique goal celebration caused a stir among the locals, said: “I sat out the first game out against Schalke but we were watching what the other teams were doing and we learnt a lot. 

“Many of them were using the sideboards so I did it on the first day and we identified it as a main strength of this tournament. 

“Everyone has handled it really well to be fair. We see it as a massive platform to express ourselves and it’s an absolutely fantastic set-up here.

“All the teams are of a really high quality and there’s a lot of good football being played here.” 

Defender Darnell Johnson, meanwhile, hailed City’s performance on their debut: “None of the lads have been out here before so everyone was really new to the rules and the way to play. 

“It was very pleasing to have scored. I like that Cal used the board so it showed how the lads are getting a bit smart and using other objects to play balls in, it shows we were getting the hang of it. 

“We’ve got a good team togetherness. Everyone works hard off the pitch and on it.” 

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, too, added his thoughts: “In the first game, Schalke probably knew the strengths of the game a little better. After that game we went into the changing room, analysed it, and came out a lot better. 

“I was happy to get a few goals and a couple of assists but I’m more bothered about us winning games. We didn’t come here to make up the numbers and we wanted to do well.” 

Academy manager Peake says his players will feel the benefits of the tournament over the coming months when they return to 11-a-side matches in the Premier League U18 and FA Youth Cup in the New Year. 

He said: “The format surprised us a little bit. Our finishing position is fifth, half-way, and we won three and lost three games over the two day period. 

“To have an accolade for Cam is great. He made some great saves but also his distribution catches the eye as a goalkeeper. 

“It proves how important hard work and organisation are. We were much better at getting back into our shape today. 

“Ability is great but, in a competition like this, it comes in short doses so hard-working performers who love to put the Leicester shirt on are important too.” 

Before returning to the hotel at the end of play, the City players spotted a young supporter in the crowd and arranged to have a photograph taken with him, inviting the Stuttgart native onto the running track in Sindelfingen.

Peake added: “He was at the tournament on Friday, too, and we noticed he had the Leicester shirt with [Jamie] Vardy on the back so it was nice to look after him. 

“He probably won’t get an experience to get his picture taken with so many Leicester players again!”

For round-ups of both days in Germany and a range of behind-the-scenes content, .