Matchday With The Manager – Keeping A Positive Mindset vs. Napoli

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Matchday With The Manager – Keeping A Positive Mindset vs. Napoli

Brendan Rodgers was keen to highlight that Leicester City are in control of their own UEFA Europa League destiny as the Foxes prepare to tackle Napoli on the final matchday in Group C.

2021-12-09T07:00:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager – Keeping A Positive Mindset vs. Napoli

Brendan Rodgers was keen to highlight that Leicester City are in control of their own UEFA Europa League destiny as the Foxes prepare to tackle Napoli on the final matchday in Group C.

2021-12-09T07:00:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager – Keeping A Positive Mindset vs. Napoli

Brendan Rodgers was keen to highlight that Leicester City are in control of their own UEFA Europa League destiny as the Foxes prepare to tackle Napoli on the final matchday in Group C.

2021-12-09T07:00:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager – Keeping A Positive Mindset vs. Napoli

Brendan Rodgers was keen to highlight that Leicester City are in control of their own UEFA Europa League destiny as the Foxes prepare to tackle Napoli on the final matchday in Group C.

2021-12-09T07:00:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager – Keeping A Positive Mindset vs. Napoli

Brendan Rodgers was keen to highlight that Leicester City are in control of their own UEFA Europa League destiny as the Foxes prepare to tackle Napoli on the final matchday in Group C.

2021-12-09T07:00:00.000Z

City lead the way by a solitary point in one of the tightest pools of recent seasons in the competition with all four sides believing they can progress. While Leicester face Napoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Legia Warsaw entertain Spartak Moscow at the same time on Thursday.

Leicester will be without several players in Naples after Rodgers confirmed on Wednesday that some had to stay in the United Kingdom due to illness. However, looking back to their home performance against Napoli, and some of their more recent play, the Northern Irishman is confident.

A win will definitely send the Foxes into the Round of 16 while a draw secures qualification - however it may involve contesting a play-off fixture with a side which will drop down from the UEFA Champions League group stage. Should City finish third, it'll be a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Discussing his side's status as group leaders - and the expectations which come with that - Rodgers says Leicester's positive mindset can be a useful tool in Naples. The game kicks off at 5:45pm on Thursday, with live and free coverage available on LCFC Radio from 3:15pm.

"It’s [a situation] we’re very comfortable in," he said. "Our fate is in our own hands, that’s important. If we win the game, we top the group and if we don’t lose, we qualify from there. The key is just to be really positive in our mindset to go out and win the game – that’s what we look to do.

"We had a really good performance against Napoli at home and we know they’re an excellent team who have done really well this season in their domestic league. It’s a challenge that we really want to embrace and one we look forward to.

"I analyse our game at the weekend and, even though our result was disappointing, there was so many things when I look back on the game that shows me that we’re not too far away. If we can eradicate some of the mistakes, some of our football has been very good.

"Some of our play in general was excellent and the team has a confidence there. The areas that we need to improve on and be better in, we need to ensure we can rectify them. If we can do that, overall the performances will be much better."

Rodgers, though, expects nothing other than a serious challenge in Naples. Managed by Luciano Spalletti, Napoli are among the primary contenders for the Serie A title this season and remain among the favourites to lift the Europa League - despite currently sitting third in Group C.

"At the beginning of the group, it was a tough group, and you can see that by the score lines in the group," he added. "Obviously, Napoli, being a hugely experienced team, I’ve watched them over the last number of years, and they’ve got real big-game experience. I really like the manager.

"We came across each other when he was at Zenit St Petersburg and connected there. He’s got some big experience himself. He’s managed big clubs and he’s done an excellent job since he’s been here in Napoli.

"We understand the challenge that we have, the quality of the opponent and it’s away from home. It’s one that I’m really looking forward to and it’s a game where we need too be at our best level to get the result we want here. It’s something that we’re all really looking forward to."

All times GMT.

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