‘I’ve got to be honest, I don’t even know what the competition is.’
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that he ‘doesn’t even know’ what the Europa Conference League is after his team dropped into the competition.
The Foxes exited the Europa League after finishing in third position in Group C, despite going into the final matchday at the top of the standings.
Rodgers’ side needed to match Spartak Moscow’s result in order to progress to the knockout stages of the competition, but they were beaten 3-2 by Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Thursday.
The home side – who were without a number of their first-team stars – went two goals ahead through Adam Ounas and Elif Elmas, before Jonny Evans and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall levelled proceedings.
However, Luciano Spalletti’s side scored the winner in the 53rd minute when Elmas grabbed his second goal of the game.
Leicester were unable to find an equaliser and exited the Europa League as a result of their defeat.
Having failed to secure progression to the knockout stages, the Foxes now drop into the Europa Conference League where they will play a two-legged play-off tie.
Despite this, manager Rodgers has admitted that he ‘doesn’t even know’ what the competition is after putting all his focus into the Europa League.
"I've got to be honest, I don't even know what the competition is.
"I was focused on the Europa League, winning this group, at the very least finishing second."
Brendan Rodgers admits Leicester must defend better as they prepare to enter the #UECL pic.twitter.com/lsKOhQLd9Q
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 9, 2021
Speaking to BT Sport after the game, the Northern Irishman said: “I’ve got to be honest, I don’t even know what the competition is.
“I was focused on the Europa League, winning this group or at least finishing second.
“All due respect to the competition, I don’t really know what it is – but I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.”
Although the Foxes failed to win their tie, they could have still qualified for the next round if Legia Warszawa would’ve equalised against Spartak Moscow – which they had a great chance to do when they were awarded a penalty in the seventh minute of added-time.
However, Tomáš Pekhart’s spot-kick was dramatically saved, which meant that Leicester’s Europa League campaign came to an end.
Leicester's hopes of staying in the #UEL went down to a Legia penalty eight minutes into stoppage time against Spartak…
…then that happened 😩😭 pic.twitter.com/Su3hZfYJjb
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 9, 2021
The Foxes return to Premier League action at the weekend when they host Newcastle United on Sunday, looking to bounce back from the defeat to Aston Villa last week.
Related links:
- Brendan Rodgers’ stubbornness costs Leicester – again
- Patson Daka scores fastest hat-trick in Europa League history as Leicester secure comeback win against Spartak Moscow
- Toni Rudiger reveals Daniel Amartey ‘disrespect’ fuelled Chelsea players against Leicester
