WASTEFUL PEREZ LEAVES FOXES PLAYING CATCH-UP

HAVING started badly off the pitch, Leicester’s trip to Poland got even worse on it as they slipped to a defeat by Legia Warsaw that leaves their hopes in Europe hanging by a thread. It is just four months since the Foxes lifted the FA Cup for the first time, yet their worrying start to this campaign shows no sign of improving. Their visit here got off on the wrong foot when forward Kelechi Iheanacho was turned away at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport by Polish border guards because of a problem with his documentation. Barely 24 hours later, they produced a confused display and were sunk by Mahir Emreli’s 31st-minute strike. It leaves Brendan Rodgers’ men bottom of Group C and their game on October 20 at Spartak Moscow, who claimed a surprise away win over Napoli last night, looks pivotal to their prospects of qualifying for the last 32. Ayoze Perez had a goal ruled out in the second half and missed two other excellent chances, while Jannik Vestergaard’s point-blank header was somehow saved. Yet Leicester were again far from the form that took them to fifth in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons, even though they were better after the break. ‘We were too passive in the first half,’ said Rodgers. ‘In the second half the reaction was good and we had really good chances but we need to be much more active. ‘It’s something we spoke about. We have to have that aggressive mentality and start games well. It’s my responsibility to fix that. ‘There are four games to go in the group and we’ve still got every chance of qualifying.’ Already missing Jonny Evans and Wilfred Ndidi due to illness and suspension respectively, Rodgers also left Jamie Vardy, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes on the bench and started midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Despite early Leicester chances, Legia took the lead just after the half-hour. Daniel Amartey made a mess of a clearance and Emreli pounced, driving in off a post from the edge of the box. Perez should have equalised just before the interval when Patson Daka flicked the ball into his path but he failed to hit the target. There was more frustration after the break when Perez turned home Youri Tielemans’ corner at the far post only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul by Amartey. Then from Dewsbury-Hall’s corner, Vestergaard failed to head past Cezary Miszta despite being unmarked four yards out. Dewsbury-Hall was replaced by Maddison, who looked lively — creating a chance for Daka before going close himself. Legia’s sole threat in the second half was on the counter, with Lirim Kastrati going closest when his shot was tipped on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel. Maddison tried to make them pay but slid a close-range finish just wide with the game’s final chance.