Rodgers Lauds City’s Aggressive Stance
- Brendan Rodgers provides his thoughts on Leicester City’s 4-3 UEFA Europa League win over Spartak Moscow
- City recovered from a two-goal deficit to claim three Group C points in Russia
- Zambia striker Patson Daka scored all four for the Foxes
The Foxes found themselves 2-0 down with little of the first half remaining, despite creating numerous chances, before Patson Daka halved the deficit heading into the break.
Then, an emphatic second-half showing saw Daka score a further three times, becoming the first Fox to net four goals in a game since Derek Hines in 1958.
“For the neutrals, it was obviously a great game to watch, I’m very proud of the team... we dug ourselves out of a hole being 2-0 down,” Rodgers said.
“[We were] unfortunate with the first goal, a deflection. The second goal, we presented to them, but this team, we’ve created a spirit over the last two-and-three-quarter years to keep going and keep fighting, and that is what they did.
“Second half, we were much more aggressive in our game and obviously then, that presented us with some great opportunities. So, it’s a great win in the end.”
Daka’s brilliant four goals earned praise from Rodgers, who also credited the players around him for being incredibly creative in the final third.
“He was exceptional,” he said. “To score four goals in a game… the first one, he takes it really, really well and we needed that just before half-time.
“Then, in the second half, Youri [Tielemans] produced a great pass that’s set up Kels (Kelechi Iheanacho) to cross it and finish, so he’s in the right place at the right time.
“Madders (James Maddison) plays one through, so yes, his finishing was sublime, but we’ve seen that in training since he’s come in. Left foot, right foot, he’s very composed, he’s very calm and we needed that tonight.”
Daka’s first strike came on the stroke of half-time, giving the visiting side a huge boost before turning the game on its head, says Rodgers.
“It was very important, because at 2-0 down, you’re really uphill,” he added. “We didn’t play well enough. The things we talked about before the game, running in behind, everyone was coming to the ball.
“We got a little bit more aggressive in the game, we started to run forward with the ball, without the ball, and also importantly, we got against the ball well.
“The three midfield players in the second half were much, much better. They could then get us the control because they were aggressive in the game. It was excellent in that aspect, and we looked a much, much better team and played with more authority in the second half.”