Development Squad Reach International Tournament Final

- The Foxes topped their group by beating Standard Liege, also winning on penalties against both Lorient and Guingamp 

- Stade Rennais beat Steve Beaglehole’s outfit 1-0 in the final of the tournament 

After winning their group, Leicester City’s Development Squad were narrowly beaten 1-0 in the final of the Tournois Europeen des Centres U21 on Sunday afternoon. 

Based in Ploufragan in the north of France, the pre-season tournament saw the Foxes take on defending champions FC Lorient, EA Guingamp and Standard Liege in Group A, while Tottenham Hotspur, Marseille, Stade Rennais and Caen occupied Group B. 

Steve Beaglehole’s outfit kicked-off proceedings with a brilliant 2-0 victory over Belgian outfit Standard Liege on Friday morning thanks to goals from Admiral Muskwe and Harvey Barnes. 

In the evening, City recorded a goalless draw with Guingamp, before beating them on penalties to earn six points from their opening two fixtures. 

Another 0-0 draw with Lorient followed on Saturday, as the Foxes went onto beat the 2015 winners 3-2 on penalties to set up a final clash with Rennais. 

Reflecting on his side’s group fixtures, Beaglehole said: “No English team had got to the final before, so it was brilliant. We beat Lorient, who were without a shadow of a doubt were the best side in the group, so we really deserved it. 

“It was based at a brilliant training centre with dorms for all the players and it was really well supported. It had a really competitive nature. 

“We went into the last game needing to beat Lorient to win the group, as we were both on six points. It went to a penalty shootout, and Max Bramley saved the decisive penalty to get us to the final.” 

A final clash with Stade Rennais came on Sunday, and while the Foxes created several clear-cut goalscoring opportunities, it was the French outfit who went on to win 1-0. 

Beaglehole added: “Rennais won their group and they were a good side. We got a great start and had chances to break the deadlock through Kairo Mitchell and Layton Ndukwu. 

“We hadn’t conceded a goal in open play, but Rennais got past us and sat back. Josh Eppiah hit the bar and Michael Cain got through right at the death but the ‘keeper made a great save. 

“We got some great plaudits for how we played, so it was a really good experience for the lads. When you’re together for all that time, you learn a lot about each other.”