‘The Only Focus Is Saturday’ - Maresca Previews Hull Visit
The goal is in sight for Leicester City with just 10 league matches remaining. Currently at the division’s summit, Hull City present this weekend’s challenge in a 3pm GMT kick-off at MKM Stadium.
A midweek success
The 1-0 victory over Sunderland on Tuesday ended a three-game losing streak – the first time this season that Leicester had suffered such a run of form. While welcoming the three points collected at the Stadium of Light, it has not changed Maresca’s outlook.
“I didn’t see the players worried before that game,” the Italian revealed. “For sure I saw them happy after the game. When we win a game, we see ourselves close to the target, so we are happy.
“When we drop points and we see the teams in behind winning, we are a little bit upset, but it’s just a matter of balance. We try to analyse every game and in the three defeats in a row, I don’t think we deserved one of them.
“Sunderland was probably the one where we didn’t create as many chances like the previous games and in the end we won. We can’t control the result; we can control the way we want to play.
“Even in the three defeats, the team was there showing themselves the way they want to play. Sometimes it is very difficult because there is no space. Especially QPR at home, but even Middlesbrough at home. Leeds away was the one where they were a little bit more open and we created many chances there.”
Player selections
With Jannik Vestergaard back in the fold following suspension, there are several key decisions to make in terms of the starting XI. Meanwhile Tuesday’s matchwinner Jamie Vardy, who played 78 minutes in the North East, is being monitored prior to the trip to Humberside and his significance to the Club is not lost on Maresca.
“It’s always difficult, not only now,” the Foxes Manager explained. “Conor [Coady] played and we won and got a clean sheet. Also in the past, when he was out (of the team) it was difficult to leave him outside because he is important for us. He is doing a fantastic job inside the pitch and outside the pitch.
“This weekend, Jannik is back and we’ve also had many clean sheets with Jannik. The important thing is that all of them are available and we can choose.
“There are no more words to explain how Jamie is important for us. He has been more than important to this Club in its history. He is still important to us. His behaviour since we started has been fantastic. He has been trying to help inside and outside the pitch.
“Logically, when he is not playing from the start, he is not happy. This is not only Jamie, but all of the players are also the same. Hopefully he can help us to reach our target this year, I think it’s the most important thing for Jamie in this moment, then we’ll see.”
The Tigers assessed
Chasing a play-off berth under Liam Rosenior, Maresca has been impressed with what he has seen of Hull in recent weeks as the Tigers enjoy a six-game unbeaten streak. He acknowledged that many of the teams Leicester face between now and the end of the season will have plenty to play for and that nothing is going to be straightforward.
“The way they play is fantastic,” the 44-year-old added. “I really like the team because they always try to play. I watched some games in the last two days. I watched the game against Southampton away, unbelievable. It will be a very tough game tomorrow.
“QPR, in the last nine games, they’ve won five and Sheffield Wednesday, in the last six games, they’ve won five. Now everyone is fighting to survive or to win. In the last game we won 0-1, Leeds won 1-0, Ipswich won at the end of the game 3-2, so now every game will be difficult.
“The only focus is Saturday’s game. We have to be focused in this moment. We have 10 more games, that means 30 points and that is the most important thing for us, to play games and win games. We always said that getting promoted was something important. It still is.
“We are close, we are in March. We have to focus game by game and win as much as possible and then we’ll see at the end. If you start to think about how many wins you need, it’s a big mistake, because you can win six but what if they win 10 out of 10. It’s just about tomorrow’s game.”