We Lacked Intensity, Says Van Nistelrooy

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We Lacked Intensity, Says Van Nistelrooy

It was another disappointing afternoon for City, losing 3-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Ruud van Nistelrooy felt the first half performance was not up to standard.

2025-04-27T12:00+01:00

by Sam Jones

Published

27 Apr, 2025

We Lacked Intensity, Says Van Nistelrooy

It was another disappointing afternoon for City, losing 3-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Ruud van Nistelrooy felt the first half performance was not up to standard.

Sam Jones

2025-04-27T12:00+01:00

We Lacked Intensity, Says Van Nistelrooy

It was another disappointing afternoon for City, losing 3-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Ruud van Nistelrooy felt the first half performance was not up to standard.

Sam Jones

2025-04-27T12:00+01:00

We Lacked Intensity, Says Van Nistelrooy

It was another disappointing afternoon for City, losing 3-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Ruud van Nistelrooy felt the first half performance was not up to standard.

Sam Jones

2025-04-27T12:00+01:00

We Lacked Intensity, Says Van Nistelrooy

It was another disappointing afternoon for City, losing 3-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Ruud van Nistelrooy felt the first half performance was not up to standard.

Sam Jones

2025-04-27T12:00+01:00

Leicester City are beaten 3-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League
Matheus Cunha, Jørgen Strand Larsen and Rodrigo Gomes all scored at Molineux
Foxes Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy reflected on losing out in the West Midlands

Goals from Matheus Cunha, Jørgen Strand Larsen and Rodrigo Gomes did the damage at Molineux Stadium on Saturday, a sixth straight victory for Vítor Pereira’s side, who climb up to 13th in the Premier League table.

As for Leicester, an 11th league match without a win leaves us on 18 points, with relegation having been confirmed last weekend. Despite creating some moments in the second half, including Jamie Vardy winning a penalty which he then saw saved by José Sá, the momentum was soon back with Wolves, a reminder of how ruthless it is at this level.

“In the first half there wasn’t enough intensity on the pitch,” the Dutchman analysed. “Off the ball we weren’t aggressive enough in the duels. We lost too many easy ball possessions which caused a lot of transitions that didn’t have anything to do with talent.

“It’s mindset and willingness to do things with the highest intensity and the highest motivation to be playing well and winning duels. That was disappointing and I didn’t expect that.

“We had the opportunity from Bilal [El Khannouss] on the edge of the box to make it 1-1. After that, the 2-0 goal went in. Of course, we kept going and had the penalty moment from Jamie [Vardy] to get us back into the game and to get a goal for himself. It was such a shame he couldn’t bury that penalty moment.

“Wolves were clinical, but I think we weren’t good enough at the basics of the game. That has to do with the intensity and aggressiveness in your duels, focusing on the easy pass and not losing the ball. For me, that was the disappointing bit.

A big following from the Foxes faithful.

“The inconsistency is then a worry because we have to be able to expect the things that don’t require talent, they have to always be there and it’s still, in that matter, too inconsistent. It’s a worry.”

There was some bad news on the injury front, too, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid withdrawn in the first half and Facundo Buonanotte and Ricardo Pereira both forced off at half-time after taking knocks.

“Unfortunately, Facundo had concussion and had to come off,” the 48-year-old confirmed. “Ricardo [Pereira] was injured so that was also a big blow to the team and for himself. I brought Oliver Skipp on for [Boubakary] Soumaré.”

Some 3,006 members of the Blue Army made up a sold out away end and the former PSV manager paid tribute to their loyal support, hoping his team can provide some form of encouragement during the last four matches of the season, as well as giving Vardy a memorable send off in his final games as an LCFC player.

“I can’t thank them enough,” van Nistelrooy added. “They showed up and they are here to support the Club and support their captain in his last games for the Football Club and the whole team. They go home with a disappointing night, like us, but it has happened too many times this season. It’s really painful.

“We addressed after relegation that we have to look and build towards next season. I expected more from the team playing for Jamie in his last games for the Football Club. We have to use that as motivation for the squad. In the first half, it wasn’t visible enough.

“We have to give Jamie the farewell with the good performances that he deserves. But that’s also why it’s so disappointing that we failed to do that. We have to bring it into the next game for sure.”

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