Rodgers’ changes secure Euro first for rallying Foxes
BRENDAN RODGERS savoured fresh history for Leicester after his substitutions inspired a thrilling late comeback.
The Foxes set up their first European semi-final – against Jose Mourinho’s Roma – in front of 1,600 delighted fans at the Philips Stadium.
After the club won the FA Cup for the first time last May, manager Rodgers is now dreaming of more silverware in the Europa Conference League.
But that did not look likely when Eran Zahavi opened the scoring in the 27th minute.
Rodgers, below, responded with a bold double substitution at the break, when he took off Harvey Barnes and Marc Albrighton.
He later withdrew striker Kelechi Iheanacho before all three replacements played a part in the goals.
Firstly, Ayoze Perez did superbly to tee up man of the match James Maddison in the 77th minute.
Then, Ademola Lookman and Patson Daka combined to allow Ricardo Pereira to score a dramatic 88th-minute winner.
Rodgers said: “It is a wonderful feeling. The players are so happy.
“We are very young with our experiences but everyone grows from nights like these – the players, the club and the supporters.
“The belief was there and we kept fighting.
“It was a great team effort. As a manager
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you get a feel for the game.You map out different things which may happen.
“I felt we needed more intensity and Patson is our best pressing striker.”
When Youri Tielemans lost the ball, Mario Gotze fed Zahavi and he put PSV in front.
Leicester were then denied when Jordan Teze made an acrobatic overhead clearance on the line to thwart Maddison.
But the visitors kept battling and Perez cut the ball back for Maddison to slam in a first-time shot from 12 yards for his 14th goal this term.
Leicester then snatched a dramatic victory when Pereira popped up with just his second goal of the season.
Rodgers added: “When you get to a quarter-final you don’t get a second chance.
“If you need to make substitutions, you need to do that.
“That lifts the tempo. I felt we needed to get Kelechi off and James in that No.10 role.
“Ayo’s skill and his run for James’ goal was brilliant.You need subs to make an impact and they did that.”
PSV (4-3-3): Mvogo 6; Junior 6, Teze 6, Ramalho 6, Max 6 (Oppegard 74); Sangare 6, Gotze 7, Gutierrez 6 (Bruma 90); Gakpo 6, Zahavi 7 (Vinicius 82), Veerman 6 (Doan 82). Goal: Zahavi 27.
LEICESTER (4-3-3): Schmeichel 8; Pereira 8, Fofana 8, Evans 8, Castagne 7; Albrighton 5 (Daka 46, 8), Tielemans 7, Dewsbury-Hall 7; Maddison 9, Iheanacho 5 (Perez 65, 8), Barnes 5 (Lookman 46, 8). Goals: Maddison 77, Pereira 88.