Maddison's Randers Brace Satisfaction

- Leicester City defeated Randers 7-2 on aggregate to progress in the UEFA Europa Conference League
- The Foxes triumphed 3-1 in the second leg of the knockout round play-off at Cepheus Park Randers
- James Maddison’s second-half double assured the away side of another European victory in Denmark
- He was pleased to assist the success while also praising the attitude shown throughout the team

Taking a healthy advantage into the second leg of the knockout round play-off at Cepheus Park Randers, Brendan Rodgers’ men finished the tie in style courtesy of a brace from the Foxes No.10, contributing to a 3-1 success on the night and a 7-2 aggregate scoreline.

In his post-match assessment of proceedings in Denmark, the England international pointed to the determined defensive work, which created a solid base to go and produce quality at the top end of the pitch, as key to seeing it out and booking their spot in the next stage of the competition.

“It’s job done really,” Maddison, who was voted as Man of the Match, told LCFC TV at full-time. “It's seven goals over the two legs. We had to defend the box quite a lot tonight, a lot of goalmouth scrambles, and lads putting blocks on the line, even when we were 7-1 up on aggregate.

“You could see Dan Amartey throwing himself in front of the goal, Kasper [Schmeichel] with last-ditch blocks. Dan actually made a last-ditch block and Kasper runs out really happy to thank him and congratulate him on the block, because that’s what it meant to keep a clean sheet.

“It was nice to see that, really refreshing. We blocked and saved every chance, but we obviously gave up the clean sheet because of the pitch. It cost us a goal in the end, which was really frustrating, because we haven’t had enough clean sheets.

“I know it means a lot to defenders, and also the midfielders and attackers. It was frustrating when that happened because we wanted a clean sheet and we spoke about it, but we just have to take the win and move on to the next round.”

A pinpoint Maddison free-kick, scored 20 minutes from time, was soon followed by an equally impressive finish from open play which also found the top corner, both leaving Randers ‘keeper Patrik Calgren rooted to the spot.

Talking through his goals, the 25-year-old said: “I felt like I needed to score because I was rubbish in the first half, to be honest. I gave the ball away really cheaply at times, which is unlike me. My final pass wasn’t good enough, which is something that I’ve based my game on, that last pass when you break through, almost behind the midfield line position.

“I had some making up to do but thankfully I scored two really nice goals, so I'm happy with them. I managed to find the top corner with both of them, which is obviously satisfying. I was due a free-kick. I practice a lot and I’ve had a few close ones.

“[Aaron] Ramsdale and Ederson have tipped two onto the bar this season, so I’ve been close, but I knew one wasn’t too far away. It's just always nice to see it go into the top corner to help the team and contribute with goals, that’s what attacking players want.

“I have the privilege of taking the set pieces, they keep missing, I might have had to go off them, but I think I’ve maybe justified the selection for a few more!”

Gallery 24 Feb 2022

Randers 1 Leicester City 3 (2-7 Aggregate)

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Harvey Barnes scored Leicester’s fastest-ever European goal inside two minutes to set up the Foxes for success in Scandinavia and it was a welcome result to return to winning ways following a narrow Premier League defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.

“The momentum is so important,” Maddison commented. “We lost on Sunday when we were the better team, which is disappointing. But the good thing about Europe is that you get to bounce back so quickly. The gaffer has said before about starting quick.

“Even though we were 4-1 up on aggregate, everyone was looking at Leicester vs. Randers thinking that tie is finished, but that’s not the attitude we could have. We started quickly, Harvey scored a brilliant goal, which set us up well.

“They played some nice stuff. I think the no.6 who played in holding midfield was really good, he kept them ticking. They passed it quite well at times, created chances against us.”

Leicester will face Ligue 1 side Rennes in the round of 16, starting with a home tie against the French outfit on Thursday 10 March, followed by the return leg at Roazhon Park a week later. The midfielder says the team are relishing the chance to advance further into the competition.

He added: “We know there’s a lot to play for with the UEFA Europa League spot next season for the winners, so if you don’t qualify for Europe in the Premier League, which is tough because there’s so many good teams, this is almost like another chance to try and make it our third in Europe in a row, which would be a brilliant achievement for the Club.

“We’re really hungry to do well, I think you can see by the selection in most games with the team, it wasn’t lots of changes, it was the people who have been playing. Even for this game, 4-1 up, some managers maybe would change it, but that shows the intent that we had for the fixture and this competition. Hopefully we can go far in it.”