Matchday With The Manager: Staying Calm & Embracing The Occasion

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Matchday With The Manager: Staying Calm & Embracing The Occasion

Brendan Rodgers has challenged his Leicester City players to write their own stories when the Foxes face Chelsea in the final of the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

2021-05-15T06:00:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager: Staying Calm & Embracing The Occasion

Brendan Rodgers has challenged his Leicester City players to write their own stories when the Foxes face Chelsea in the final of the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

2021-05-15T06:00:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager: Staying Calm & Embracing The Occasion

Brendan Rodgers has challenged his Leicester City players to write their own stories when the Foxes face Chelsea in the final of the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

2021-05-15T06:00:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager: Staying Calm & Embracing The Occasion

Brendan Rodgers has challenged his Leicester City players to write their own stories when the Foxes face Chelsea in the final of the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

2021-05-15T06:00:00.000Z

Matchday With The Manager: Staying Calm & Embracing The Occasion

Brendan Rodgers has challenged his Leicester City players to write their own stories when the Foxes face Chelsea in the final of the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

2021-05-15T06:00:00.000Z

The Club's first final appearance in the FA Cup since 1969 sees the Foxes tackle eight-time winners Chelsea. The Blues are a side who, under Thomas Tuchel, have been resurgent in 2021, famously overcoming Spanish giants Real Madrid to reach the UEFA Champions League showpiece.

However, Leicester have also demonstrated their qualities across the course of this season. Rodgers' men have now defeated all of the Premier League's 'big six' teams, culminating in a 2-1 triumph over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening - their first success there in 23 years.

The Northern Irishman has been entirely focused on navigating City's condensed league fixture schedule over recent weeks, but can now look ahead to Saturday's challenge against Chelsea with excitement as he aims to be the man to lead the Foxes to their first-ever FA Cup victory.

"Our focus over the last few weeks has been on the games we had to play, but now the Manchester United game is over, it’s now a really special game to look forward to," the 48-year-old told the national media at LCFC Training Ground in Seagrave on Thursday.

"We’ve all grown up with it and, in particular, us British coaches, we’ve watched it all through our lives. To be able to lead Leicester City out for the first time in over 50-odd years to a final, it will be a real privilege for me and I’m so excited and I’m looking forward to it.

"In these weeks, you’ve always got to stay calm. We’ve always tried to ensure the preparation for every game is huge, but of course, this is a game where you can create an incredible legacy. You write your own story in these games and that’s hopefully what we can do."

That victory at Old Trafford can be a source of confidence for Leicester's players, says Rodgers, who went on to explain what the matchday will look like for the squad as they arrive at Wembley Stadium and complete their final preparations at the national stadium.

"They’ve been brilliant," the former Liverpool and Celtic manager said when asked about the feeling in the dressing room. "They’re really excited. Of course, we’re off the back of a good performance and result against Manchester United.

"I think you’ve seen in all the games this season, this team comes alive in these types of games in terms of the mentality and the attitude in the games and the quality we have to win. We’re playing against an exceptional team that have got a lot of really good momentum over these last few months.

"They are probably the favourites for the game because of where they’re at and everything else, but for us, we’re so looking forward to it. It’s going to be a great occasion, but we’ll focus on performing well.

"We’ll have a tactical chat a few hours before the game and then I’ll always give the players a message a minute or so before they go out. We’ve got a tight bond in the changing room, so I’ll give them that message before they go and then I’ll let them go and enjoy it.

"It’s a lively changing room. There’s usually a compilation of all the players’ music. They each all have a tune and, at some point in the pre-match preparation, that’ll be heard.

"Then they have one tune they’ll listen to one or two minutes before they go out, so it’s quite lively and boisterous, but it’s a happy dressing room.

"Sometimes, when you get to finals, teams can be in bad form and be sat in mid-table, or lower in the table. In our team, it’s different, we’ve been consistent. They’re playing really well over a period of time and this has been the next step for us.

"I’ve always tried to ensure that every game is a big game. We have exactly the same preparation. Of course, the consequence of the game is maybe greater than some of the other games, but you don’t need to magnify the FA Cup Final to raise any levels of anxiety or pressure.

"It’s a big game, but we’ve always tried to prepare for that, knowing that when you get to finals, you’re not having to increase your levels too much. There’s going to be a natural push and feel to do even more, but it’s important you stay calm.

"We had the game on Tuesday, we recovered on Wednesday and now we’re putting final plans in place. We’ll travel, be relaxed, but focused, and then the day of the game is just like any other game."

Now Leicester are in the final, Rodgers has only one ambition - to win it. The Foxes manager is well aware of the quality which Chelsea possess, but he is also confident that his squad has the talent required to secure a landmark victory at Wembley on Saturday.

"We know we have to play really well against an outstanding team, but our ambition is to win," he continued. "We’ve come so far this season in all the competitions. We now arrive in a final and, for us and our mindset, it’s not just enough to arrive there.

"I know everyone thinks it’s great to get to the final, but our ambition is to win it.

"We have to do everything we can in order to be able to do that. We’ll do everything and, if luck goes our way, it gives us the possibility. If we don’t, okay, we’ve given our all and that’s all you can do.

"It’s going to be two aggressive teams wanting to impose their way of working and playing. I see it as a game where both teams will look to have that physicality in the game and hopefully, then, your quality can shine through. I’m sure it’ll be a tight game.

"We embrace the expectation. We go into this type of game with confidence. We know we’re going to have to work. In any final, you need that little bit of luck as well. In any final I’ve won, you need that bit of luck along the way as well, but I’ve got great trust in the players.

"We’ve shown in our games throughout the season, no matter who we play, if we can play well, we’ve got a great chance of winning."

Asked what his primary motivation will be on Saturday, Rodgers concluded: "I’d love to win it for Khun Vichai and his family.

"His spirit and presence will be there with us on the day. Just having Khun Top over again this week has really magnified one of the reasons why I came to here. It was because of them and the cause which Leicester City has.

"Of course, I’d love to do it for the players, I’d love to do it for the supporters, but if I had to say one, it'd be for Khun Top and his family. That would be truly special."

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