April 28, (THEWILL) – Leicester had plenty of possession, but could not convert their chances as they battled back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Roma in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
In the first half, Lorenzo Pellegrini put the visitors ahead, but Jose Mourinho’s side were finally pulled back by an own goal, ensuring that the tie will be decided next week in Rome.
Leicester started strongly, with Jamie Vardy causing early problems and Timothy Castagne shooting wide from a well-worked corner inside five minutes.
Roma began to come into the game after weathering an early storm, pressing Leicester high and sprinting at the Foxes’ backline at breakneck speed, and the breakthrough came 15 minutes in.
Young Nicola Zalewski’s wonderful run and pass came up at the feet of Pellegrini, who shot past Kasper Schmeichel and into the net.
As Leicester sought an equaliser, Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman’s shot was superbly blocked by Chris Smalling, with Roma’s defence remaining firm and assisting the forwards in creating their own issues.
Leicester, on the other hand, dominated possession and dominated the stats sheet for the most of the first half, however this did not transfer into serious threats on the Roma goal.
A similar story began the second half. Roma were content to stay back and defend, neutralising everything that was thrown at them while also posing a minor threat going forward.
Brendan Rodgers made a move by bringing on Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho off the bench, and it was the former who drew Leicester back into the game.
Lookman did well to contort his body and tap home after a brilliant move down the left flank was followed by a ferocious cross into the six-yard box, although the winger’s goal was subsequently credited as a Gianluca Mancini own goal.
With ten minutes to go, Leicester pushed for a winner, with Iheanacho’s looping effort from range drawing a great stop from Rui Patricio.
Roma, on the other hand, had their own opportunities. Sergio Oliveira’s powerful effort was pushed away by Schmeichel after some good work from Tammy Abraham.
The visitors closed shop late and put Leicester under a lot of pressure, but they were unable to find a way through and will have to do the job in the second leg, as they did in the last round.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
