Cifuentes: You Need To Start On Front Foot

Next Match | Saturday 18 April Sat 18 Apr

POR

(A)

00 D

11 H

28 M

44 S

Interviews & Features

Heritage

Photos

Cifuentes: You Need To Start On Front Foot

Martí Cifuentes was disappointed with aspects of the performance, as well as the end result, after our Carabao Cup exit on penalties at Huddersfield Town.

2025-08-14T09:00+01:00

by Sam Stevens

Published

14 Aug, 2025

Cifuentes: You Need To Start On Front Foot

Martí Cifuentes was disappointed with aspects of the performance, as well as the end result, after our Carabao Cup exit on penalties at Huddersfield Town.

Sam Stevens

2025-08-14T09:00+01:00

Cifuentes: You Need To Start On Front Foot

Martí Cifuentes was disappointed with aspects of the performance, as well as the end result, after our Carabao Cup exit on penalties at Huddersfield Town.

Sam Stevens

2025-08-14T09:00+01:00

Cifuentes: You Need To Start On Front Foot

Martí Cifuentes was disappointed with aspects of the performance, as well as the end result, after our Carabao Cup exit on penalties at Huddersfield Town.

Sam Stevens

2025-08-14T09:00+01:00

Cifuentes: You Need To Start On Front Foot

Martí Cifuentes was disappointed with aspects of the performance, as well as the end result, after our Carabao Cup exit on penalties at Huddersfield Town.

Sam Stevens

2025-08-14T09:00+01:00

Leicester City were defeated 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup First Round
Hamza Choudhury and Harry Winks found the net in normal time at Accu Stadium
Manager Martí Cifunetes commented on our performance, saying City did not start on the front foot
He was nevertheless pleased with the Academy representation in the squad

Hamza Choudhury and Harry Winks twice put us ahead in the second half at Accu Stadium on Wednesday night, but the Terriers levelled each time, through Daniel Vost and Cameron Ashia.

After a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes, the Foxes were on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline on penalties, denying us a place in the second round. Cifuentes, who made a winning competitive debut as Manager in Sunday’s 2-1 Sky Bet Championship victory over Sheffield Wednesday, was frustrated with the performance in west Yorkshire, crediting Huddersfield for their own display on Wednesday.

“Definitely, I’m not happy about the whole performance,” he said afterwards. “I think Huddersfield overall, because of the desire and energy, they probably deserved to win and, unfortunately, we couldn’t pick up momentum.

“I think the first half was far from the level that we expect. We spoke about the opponents, when you play these kind of games, against a team that probably has a feeling of having nothing to lose, you need to start on the front foot, and we didn’t.

“From there, I think we managed just a few moments in the second half to really show our quality, but I’m disappointed. I’m especially [frustrated with] the way we conceded the two goals.

“In a game that perhaps we never had the flow or the momentum, it was important to score [our] two goals and then we need to do much better to make sure we don’t concede these kind of situations.”

There were eight players from the Academy to see action in Huddersfield, a match which included full debuts for Jeremy Monga and Will Alves, while Louis Page made his first-ever appearance from the bench in the second half.

That aspect was pleasing for Cifuentes, who is keen to give opportunities to the younger players if the situation allows and if the players in question earn their chance.

“It's going to be important,” he added. “I said before that I believe a lot in the Academy players, as long as they have desire and talent. I think that’s the case.

“[Monga] was doing really well, showing a lot of personality in a scenario that became a little bit difficult for him. He showed braveness and then, unfortunately, we had to sub him to protect him a little bit. Then it was important for Will and Louis to get minutes. Ben [Nelson] played the whole game. It’s some of the positives of the game.”

LATEST HEADLINES

Vote Now: LCFC End Of Season Awards Our supporters can now vote in a number of categories for our annual Leicester City End of Season Awards.

8 Hours 31 Mins Ago

Abdul Fatawu Nominated For EFL Goal Of The Season Abdul Fatawu’s stunning 65-yard strike in our 3-1 win over Ipswich Town in December has been shortlisted for EFL Goal of the Season.

9 Hours 1 Min Ago

From The Archives - Arthur Chandler’s Shirt Crests Our all-time record goalscorer, Arthur Chandler, began his professional career at Queens Park Rangers in September 1920.

14 Hours 21 Mins Ago

Rowett: James & Ramsey Assessed Pre-Pompey Gary Rowett revealed that Jordan James and Aaron Ramsey are being monitored prior to our trip to Portsmouth.

16 Apr, 2026