Wesley Fofana scored his first objective for Leicester on his return from a damaged leg to ship the Foxes into the Europa Convention League quarter-finals – though Brendan Rodgers’ facet needed to cling on desperately for a 3-2 combination victory after dropping 2-1 on the night time at Rennes.
Twenty-one-year-old Fofana was cruelly sidelined in pre-season throughout a pleasant with Villarreal however marked his shock return to the beginning XI with an excellent glancing header from a nook (51) – the objective which might show to be decisive on this dramatic, good tie.
When that effort cancelled out Benjamin Bourigeaud’s early opener (8) it appeared Leicester had regained management towards an lively Rennes facet, who’re only a level off second in Ligue 1 and who had been roared on by an unbelievable house assist.
Nevertheless, substitute Flavien Tait arrange a grandstand end when he drove previous Kasper Schmeichel after a neat lay-off from Serhou Guirassy with quarter-hour to play.
Leicester had been on the ropes in these closing phases, with Schmeichel producing an unbelievable save to disclaim Guirassy from three yards, Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor one way or the other diverting a cross away from the striker as he was about to shoot once more from shut vary, and Baptiste Santamaria drilling simply vast of the submit 15 yards out.
Even with the ultimate transfer of the match, Rennes appeared getting ready to forcing extra-time – and had been incensed when referee Anastasios Sidiropoulos waved away their penalty appeals after Harvey Barnes headed a free-kick onto Dewsbury-Corridor’s arm within the Leicester field.
Within the aftermath, Rennes’ subs and training workers charged onto the pitch to encompass the officers. Nevertheless, Leicester had finished sufficient.
Leicester misplaced Marc Albrighton and Wilfred Ndidi to harm in the course of the contest however are rewarded for his or her good, battling, backs-to-the-wall effort with simply their second-ever quarter-final look on the European stage, with the draw to come back on Friday.
What’s subsequent?
The Europa Convention League quarter-final and semi-final attracts will comply with the Champions League ones on Friday, March 18 at 12.30pm UK time, with the balls being drawn out at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Leicester return to Premier League motion on Sunday after they host Brentford on the King Energy Stadium at 2pm. Rennes host Metz at 2pm in Ligue 1 on the identical day.
