Albrighton: A Difficult Encounter Awaits

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Albrighton: A Difficult Encounter Awaits

Midfielder Marc Albrighton pointed to Watford's pace in attack ahead of Saturday's Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie at King Power Stadium.

2022-01-07T08:58:00.000Z

Albrighton: A Difficult Encounter Awaits

Midfielder Marc Albrighton pointed to Watford's pace in attack ahead of Saturday's Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie at King Power Stadium.

2022-01-07T08:58:00.000Z

Albrighton: A Difficult Encounter Awaits

Midfielder Marc Albrighton pointed to Watford's pace in attack ahead of Saturday's Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie at King Power Stadium.

2022-01-07T08:58:00.000Z

Albrighton: A Difficult Encounter Awaits

Midfielder Marc Albrighton pointed to Watford's pace in attack ahead of Saturday's Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie at King Power Stadium.

2022-01-07T08:58:00.000Z

Albrighton: A Difficult Encounter Awaits

Midfielder Marc Albrighton pointed to Watford's pace in attack ahead of Saturday's Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie at King Power Stadium.

2022-01-07T08:58:00.000Z

- Leicester City host Watford in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday (3pm GMT kick-off)- The Foxes lifted the iconic trophy for the first time in the Club's history last May- Marc Albrighton has previewed the encounter with Claudio Ranieri's Hornets this week- He expects the visitors to pose a stern test of City's ambitions to defend the trophy in 2021/22

Leicester City go into the clash as FA Cup holders following last season's historic triumph at Wembley Stadium, overcoming Chelsea in the showpiece, but Albrighton says all focus is on the present. The Foxes have won their last four games at home in all competitions and are looking to extend that run.

One of those successes was a 4-2 victory over the Hornets in the Premier League with Jamie Vardy netting a brace alongside solitary efforts from James Maddison and Youri Tielemans. Ahead of Saturday's 2021/22 FA Cup opener for Leicester, Albrighton sat down with LCFC TV this week.

"We’re very focused on putting up a good fight in terms of not letting go of the trophy," the Club's popular No.11 said. "This is where it starts. It’s a long road to a final. There’s a lot of games and you have to beat a lot of good sides.

"You’ve got the chance of getting a third-round draw against a lower league team, which is very difficult in its own right, but then you’ve also got to beat teams like Man Utd, which we did at King Power Stadium last year. It’s different challenges, but equally tough games, and it starts now with Watford."

City have had three games postponed over the festive period for COVID-19-related reasons, however Albrighton says it has still been a busy time. Leicester tackled champions Manchester City between two clashes with Liverpool over just a week in late December, while also training regularly in Seagrave.

"Obviously, it has been different," the 32-year-old explained. "There’s no getting away from that. It’s been very different. I think the uncertainty of everything going on has been the hardest thing to deal with, not knowing if games are going to be on, or if they aren’t. It’s been difficult, but we’ve trained hard.

"We’ve been in most days over the festive period, making sure that if the games are, we’re good to go. We’re making sure our fitness is kept to a good level.

"It’s a difficult game again. We’ve recently played them at home in what was a difficult game. They’re a good side, especially on the transitions. They get the ball forward quickly and they’ve got a lot of pace in the side, so it’s going to be a difficult encounter.

"It’s one we’re looking forward to and, going in as holders, although it means nothing on the day, it’s special to think that competition was ours last year."

Naturally, those associated with the Club will look back on Leicester's FA Cup glory last term and Albrighton provided an insight into his own reflections. For someone who grew up imagining himself at Wembley on local parks, it was a dream come true.

"Of course, it’s such a prestigious competition, especially in this country," he said. "For the English lads growing up, it’s why you’re playing in the park [thinking of Wembley]. It was always a game when we were younger, so to actually have participated in a final and go and win an FA Cup is absolutely amazing."

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