Rodgers: We’re Looking Forward To Man City Challenge

First Team
26 Sep 2020
2 Minutes
Brendan Rodgers admits Sunday's visit to Manchester City represents a 'huge challenge' for Leicester City, but says it is one which the Foxes are prepared for.

- Leicester City travel to Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on Sunday (4:30pm kick-off)
- Brendan Rodgers points to the 'world-class' nature of the Citizens' first team squad
- The Northern Irishman wants to see the Foxes build on their encouraging start to 2020/21
- City must approach the fixture with an ambition to compete, Rodgers also says

The encounter at Etihad Stadium (4:30pm kick-off) follows successive victories over West Bromwich Albion and Burnley for the Foxes, while City beat Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Previewing the clash with Pep Guardiola's men, Rodgers discussed his pleasure at seeing Leicester start the season so assuredly, but warned that Sunday's fixture will be a stern test for his side. 

"That’s what we’re in the industry for, we’re in it to win," the Northern Irishman said. "Of course, I always want my teams to win with what I would call the right ideals in how we work.

"It would be great to get a victory, of course. We’re very pleased (with the start). It was a long season for us last year and we finished up in fifth place.

"It was always going to be important to renew the motivation and we’ve been able to do that. We had two tough games, a newly promoted team and a Burnley team who are synonymous with making it very, very difficult.

"We were able to get two wins, perform well, and now we’ll look to take that into our next game, but of course, it’s still very early."

Quizzed on the challenge Man City are likely to pose on Sunday, Rodgers pointed to the array of talents in Guardiola's squad, as well as the Spaniard's own managerial credentials.

"Manchester City are always difficult to play against," the 47-year-old added. "They have world-class players and they’ve got a world-class manager, so that combination always makes it very tough.

"We’re looking forward to the challenge. We’ve gone there over the last few years, one was very close, the other not so close, but these types of games are always great challenges.

"That’s what you want and, for us, we aspire to keep improving and these types of games allow you to do that. It’s a huge challenge, but one which we’re ready for."

Rodgers is looking for Leicester to approach the clash with confidence, while also exhibiting a tactical approach which may be able to unlock one of the best sides in the country.

"You want to play your normal game against Manchester City but they are a team that eventually can sometimes pin you back with the quality of their game," he continued.

"You have to have that directness against them. With your quality, you hope you have chances in the game, we’ve always had that, and you’ve got to be resolute defensively.

"Your ambition in the game is always there, to win and to compete, and then you have to be able to create opportunities to score, which hopefully we can do."

All times BST.