Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho’s Leicester City battled bravely to record what was a richly deserved draw against a resolute Roma side at the King Power Stadium, in the first installment of their UEFA Conference League semifinal series.
The Foxes started on the front foot, with Belgian defender Timothy Castagne firing narrowly wide from a James Maddison corner. Brendan Rodgers’ men would continue to probe in the opening exchanges, however, it was Jose Mourinho’s Roma who struck first blood in their battle of tactical wit.
Youngster Nicola Zalweski drove at the heart of the Leicester City defence, before playing in Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini who slotted home confidently on 15 minutes to give the visitors the lead. Leicester did not let their heads drop, however, with Nigeria International Ademola Lookman going very close for the hosts on either side of the half-time interval.
Both sides had chances to claim victory, with Nigeria International Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester) and Sergio Oliveira (Roma) coming closest to glory in the last 20 minutes of the proceedings. Nevertheless, it was to end all square in the East Midlands, leaving the series up for grabs ahead of the second leg next week.
Jose Mourinho will fancy his chances of taking Roma through to the final in front of his own supporters, while Brendan Rodgers will look to tap into his side’s second-half dominance at the Stadio Olimpico as he looks to secure a famous victory that would guarantee a first-ever European final for Leicester.
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