Van Nistelrooy: Very Disappointing

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Van Nistelrooy: Very Disappointing

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was frustrated that Leicester City could not capitalise on an encouraging first-half performance in our 2-0 reverse to Crystal Palace.

2025-01-16T09:00+00:00

by Sam Stevens

Published

16 Jan, 2025

from King Power Stadium

Van Nistelrooy: Very Disappointing

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was frustrated that Leicester City could not capitalise on an encouraging first-half performance in our 2-0 reverse to Crystal Palace.

Sam Stevens

2025-01-16T09:00+00:00

Van Nistelrooy: Very Disappointing

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was frustrated that Leicester City could not capitalise on an encouraging first-half performance in our 2-0 reverse to Crystal Palace.

Sam Stevens

2025-01-16T09:00+00:00

Van Nistelrooy: Very Disappointing

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was frustrated that Leicester City could not capitalise on an encouraging first-half performance in our 2-0 reverse to Crystal Palace.

Sam Stevens

2025-01-16T09:00+00:00

Van Nistelrooy: Very Disappointing

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was frustrated that Leicester City could not capitalise on an encouraging first-half performance in our 2-0 reverse to Crystal Palace.

Sam Stevens

2025-01-16T09:00+00:00

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy reflects on our 2-0 defeat by Crystal Palace
Leicester City remain 19th in the Premier League after this latest setback
Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marc Guéhi found the goals for the visitors
Van Nistelrooy also commented on the recent arrival of Woyo Coulibaly

Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marc Guéhi found the net in the second half for the Eagles, who had to withstand considerable pressure from the Foxes before the break.

Van Nistelrooy’s men, though, were unable to take their chances and ultimately paid the price, falling to a sixth successive Premier League defeat on Wednesday at King Power Stadium.

“It’s very disappointing,” the Dutchman said afterwards. “I’ve spoken about the performances and we wanted to show today, after a difficult run of games, that we’ve improved, that we can turn good performances into points.

“It all looked well in the first half. We should have scored one or two goals from the chances we created. We hardly gave a chance away, but in the second half we weren’t good enough.

“The level dropped, the intensity, and the first goal they scored changed the game. We were strong in the first half and Palace probably not that much. They stepped it up in the second half and we dropped in our level. The first goal was a big blow for us.”

City had chances, also in the second half, notably when Boubakary Soumaré struck the crossbar, but it was another evening of what-if moments.

“It's something we need, we need that bit of luck,” the Manager added. “If the chances go in, we can build momentum from it. The lads kept going and kept working.

“That’s good. There’s spirit in this team, although it’s been a difficult run of results over the last six games. The fans are there for us and it’s a basis to continue. In three days, we’re back here again (vs. Fulham), but we have to recover from this blow, that is for sure.

“With the players we have, we have to play in a certain way to get the best out of them. That showed in the first half. In the second, not as much, but we have to find other ways to win as well.

“We’re looking to improve on those aspects, but of course, when you concede every game one or two goals, it’s always going to be difficult. We’re looking to be better there, of course, as well.”

Although frustrated with another defeat, van Nistelrooy was pleased at least to be able to welcome new recruit Woyo Coulibaly, an exciting full-back from Parma. He watched from the stands on Wednesday evening.

“I’m very happy that he’s arrived,” he said. “Because of the long-term injury for Ricardo [Pereira], we only have JJ (James Justin) at right-back, so we need personnel there to help. He’s a young, talented, powerful full-back who did very well in Serie A for Parma.

“He had a lot of possibilities to choose to go to and he believes in this Club and the direction it’s going. We’re delighted that he’s come in to help us and strengthen us.”

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