Rodgers & Maddison Speak As City Train In Braga

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Rodgers & Maddison Speak As City Train In Braga

Brendan Rodgers and James Maddison were on the top table representing Leicester City as media duties were followed by open training at the stunning home of SC Braga on Wednesday.

2020-11-26T05:00:00.000Z

Rodgers & Maddison Speak As City Train In Braga

Brendan Rodgers and James Maddison were on the top table representing Leicester City as media duties were followed by open training at the stunning home of SC Braga on Wednesday.

2020-11-26T05:00:00.000Z

Rodgers & Maddison Speak As City Train In Braga

Brendan Rodgers and James Maddison were on the top table representing Leicester City as media duties were followed by open training at the stunning home of SC Braga on Wednesday.

2020-11-26T05:00:00.000Z

Rodgers & Maddison Speak As City Train In Braga

Brendan Rodgers and James Maddison were on the top table representing Leicester City as media duties were followed by open training at the stunning home of SC Braga on Wednesday.

2020-11-26T05:00:00.000Z

Rodgers & Maddison Speak As City Train In Braga

Brendan Rodgers and James Maddison were on the top table representing Leicester City as media duties were followed by open training at the stunning home of SC Braga on Wednesday.

2020-11-26T05:00:00.000Z

City go into the fixture, a 5:55pm kick-off, leading Os Arcebispos by three points in Group G of the UEFA Europa League after a dominant 4-0 victory over Carlos Carvalhal's men on Filbert Way earlier this month.

That reverse is the only dent in a run of form which has seen Braga win their other eight most recent fixtures, however, a passage of time which included an impressive 3-2 success over SL Benfica at Estádio da Luz.

Based two levels beneath the main stand at the magnificent Estádio Municipal de Braga, which itself is carved into a quarry, Maddison was up first in addressing the national and international media.

The England international, who netted the Foxes' final goal in that earlier triumph against the Portuguese outfit, explained that Leicester are expecting a stern test of their European credentials on Thursday.

"Braga are a lot better than what they showed at King Power Stadium," he told the assembled media. "We've watched the clips and done our analysis and we saw some very good stuff, very talented players, and a good manager.

"We're expecting a very strong side and we'll prepare no differently (to the first match)."

Detailed preparatory work, undertaken back in Leicester and now in northern Portugal, has equipped the Foxes with all the information they need ahead of kick-off, Maddison said.

"We've got a job to do," the 24-year-old continued. "We've had a great start. We've won three games out of three, but we know going away in Europe is always tough.

"We'll do our research and our homework and we'll be prepared for Braga to come out flying, especially after the result and scoreline at King Power Stadium."

Rodgers, on the other hand, was also keen to stress the scale of the task at hand for the Foxes, who have thus far enjoyed three consecutive wins on their maiden Europa League campaign.

"In both games (vs. Braga), we always anticipate a tough game," the Northern Irishman insisted. "The first game was tough despite the scoreline. We played well and scored some very good goals, but we expect a tough game.

"You know when you play against teams from other countries in this competition they're at a high level. Our away form in our league has been very good and we won our game in Athens too.

"We don't underestimate Braga. Even though our result was really good (against Braga last time), we have to be ready for a really, really tough game."

Following the media duties, which included questions being taken both in the room and via Zoom, Rodgers and Maddison joined the rest of the travelling party for an open training session on the pitch.

Looming large above the city skyline below, but below a mountain on the north flank of Monte do Castro, Estádio Municipal de Braga would usually house 30,286 supporters and was built for the 2004 UEFA European Championships.

After also starring at the breath-taking Olympic Stadium in Athens earlier this term, it is another fitting setting for Leicester City as they strive to write a new chapter in the Club's European history this season.

Back home, on the other hand, members of the Blue Army were able to ask Marc Albrighton and Jonny Evans about their experiences in Braga directly on a Zoom call with supporters.

Speaking from the Club's hotel headquarters, alongside former captains Steve Walsh and Matt Elliott, a variety of topics came up for the current Foxes, including City's chances in Europe, memories of yesteryear and ambitions for the future.

Asked about their career highlights, Evans selected reaching the UEFA European Championships with Northern Ireland, while Albrighton, naturally picked out the role he played in Leicester's historic 2015/16 Premier League triumph.

"We're looking to go all the way," Albrighton said in reply to one supporter on City's Europa League hopes. "We saw Wolves do well last year and we feel like we're up there. There's no reason why can't show that ambition."

Make sure to follow @LCFC for exclusive access to Leicester City's stay in Portugal while also tuning into LCFC Radio on Thursday evening, from 4:55pm, for live coverage of matchday four in the Europa League.

All times GMT.

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