Bertrand: Great Resilience & Passion
- Ryan Bertrand reflects on Leicester City’s 1-0 Premier League loss to Manchester City
- The Foxes left-back made his Premier League debut for the Club
- Jamie Vardy had a goal ruled out for offside, while Harvey Barnes hit the bar
Although the Foxes were narrowly beaten 1-0 at King Power Stadium, they delivered a solid defensive performance and had several chances of their own. Jamie Vardy had a goal ruled out for offside, while Harvey Barnes hit the crossbar and Ademola Lookman twice went close after coming off the bench.
Reflecting on his Premier League debut for the Club, Bertrand said: “We definitely deserved something from the game, and it’s hard to take when you concede a goal like that – a great block, a deflection into their path. It’s tough to take, but we keep building confidence, and roll on the next one.
“We showed great togetherness, great resilience and great passion to keep the ball out against these. They’re a top side, but unfortunately, football does that sometimes. It’s very hard to take.
“We’re looking at each game as it comes. We’re looking to make steps every game in our fitness, our team shape, tactically, in our finishing – we’ll take that as a step forward, although the result wasn’t ideal.”
Although Bertrand has been sidelined since playing in the FA Community Shield in August, he was thrilled to make an appearance in front of the home crowd on Filbert Way.
“We had a great pre-season, everyone was building great fitness,” he reflected. “It was amazing to get a game against Villarreal here with home fans back and I was looking forward to the Wolves game, but the virus kicked in and it wiped me out, to be honest – longer than expected.
“But it was good to finally get back training and to come and play today in front of the fans, it’s good to get those minutes in and hopefully I can build on from here.”
Bertrand, during his maiden Premier League appearance for City, forged an encouraging partnership with Barnes on the left-hand side of Leicester’s team.
“He’s so positive,” he added. “I know that if I can get on the ball and give it to him, I can then pick and choose my pockets and know where to run and where to support him. I’m sure we’ll develop something really, really good.”