DBasia.news – Leicester City steps in the FA Cup must stop, Sunday (6/28/2020). The Foxes’ attempt to qualify for the first time to the FA Cup semifinals since 1982 failed after losing to Chelsea, 0-1 in a match held at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester again eliminated Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the third time. Previously, The Foxes also failed to the semifinals after being eliminated by Chelsea in 2011-12 and 2017-18. In total, Leicester have never won against Chelsea in nine FA Cup meetings.
Host Leicester made a change from the midweek squad to draw against Brighton in the Premier League. In this match, manager Brendan Rodgers plays Ayoze Perez, Youri Tielemans, Dennis Praet and Harvey Barnes. While Demarai Gray, Kelechi Iheanacho and Nampalys Mendy were all dropped on the bench.
In the Chelsea camp, Frank Lampard made six changes from the team that defeated Manchester City. Only Antonio Rudiger, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Willian, and Cristian Pulisic are still preserved.
At the beginning of the match, Leicester appeared confident by trying to take the initiative to attack. But slowly but surely Chelsea is able to take control of the game with more control of the ball.
The first chance of a new match occurs when the game runs 20 minutes and it is obtained by the host. Starting from the error bait from Billy Gilmour, Tielemans was able to penetrate which ended hard kick. But the kick ball that leads to the lower right corner can still be broken by Willy Caballero.
Despite losing possession of the ball, Leicester actually able to complicate the Chelsea defense. Like in the 29th minute through a free kick scheme. Unfortunately Jonny Evans header is still not on target.
Interval of two minutes later, it was the turn of the guest troops who got the chance through Pulisic. Getting the ball in the penalty box, Pulisic kicks off, but the ball can still dammed Kasper Schmeichel.
Chelsea continue to maintain possession and build attacks from below. Whereas Leicester chose a fast and direct attack approach. Score goalless draw last until break.
Second round :
Entering the second half, Lampard made three substitutions at the same time by pulling out Reece James, Mason Mount, and Billy Gimour, entering Cesar Azpilicueta, Ross Barkley, and Mateo Kovacic.
Lampard’s decision changed the game a little. With the entry of three senior players, the pressure exerted by Chelsea is more pronounced. While Leicester is more difficult to get out of the pressure of the Blues.
Chelsea’s patience finally sweet fruit in the 63rd minute. After playing one-two with Azpilicueta, Willian released the inviting pass from the right side to the front of the goal. With one touch Barkley sent the ball into the Leicester goal. Chelsea lead 1-0. For Barkley, this is his fourth goal with Chelsea this season, three of which came in the FA Cup.
Chelsea’s dominance increasingly thick after the first goal. Leicester struggle to even maintain possession. After the water break, the hosts tried to get up, but the efforts of Rodgers’ team were still easily broken by the Chelsea defense.
At the end of the match, Barkley almost added to his goal collection, unfortunately his efforts were brilliantly thwarted by Schmeichel. Until the fight was over, the score 1-0 for Chelsea did not change. The Blues ensure a place in the FA Cup semifinals. While Leicester’s hopes of progressing to the semifinals for the first time since 1982 were dashed.
Line-up
Leicester City (4-1-4-1): Kasper Schmeichel; James Justin, Jonny Evans, Caglar Soyuncu, Ben Chilwell; Wilfred Ndidi; Ayoze Perez (Albrighton 57), Youri Tielemans, Dennis Praet (Choudhury 57), Harvey Barnes (Gray 76); Jamie Vardy.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Willy Caballero; Reece James (Azpilicueta 46), Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma, Emerson; Billy Gilmour (Kovacic 46), N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount (Barkley 46); Willian (Pedro 78), Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic (Loftus-Cheek 72).