Leicester need to transfer European form to EPL

School was in session when Komphela took to the podium at press conferences at the beginning of the season. During those first few lectures, the former Bafana Bafana skipper was faced with the daunting task of having to explain why he was the right man for the job on the back of yet another unflattering display by Chiefs.

Lately, there has been a shift in his lessons, the coach waxing lyrical about the state of football in the country, the books he is currently reading in his spare time and the need to keep fighting to improve in their title quest.

All of that in typical Komphela fashion – using the kind of words that need an Oxford dictionary if you are to keep up with the former schoolteacher. “We have to use the same speed because if you drive fast you will crash. You know that if you are taking it slowly on the road, you come across a breeze, and speeding means a storm. We need to strike a balance, but there will always be a test in every game we play,” he explained.

He said the Chiefs players are learning to use criticism to be better and not bitter.

The two coaches are no bosom buddies – there is very little mutual respect. Komphela, however, acknowledged that Middendorp might come up with a plan to derail Chiefs in their attempt to reach the Telkom Knockout final in December. They have now met twice with the German in charge and Maritzburg have on both occasions finished second best. There is an air of vengeance, especially considering the frosty relationship between the two coaches.

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UNERRING last season as they churned towards an historic Premier League title, Leicester City have become wildly unreliable a few months later as their impressive midweek European exploits are in stark contrast to their domestic woes.

The club’s 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen on Tuesday was their third in a row in the Champions League – the best start by a British club in their debut season in the competition. They have yet to concede a goal and progress to the knockout phase is almost guaranteed.

Nagging away in the background though is Leicester’s worrying start to the defence of their title which has left Claudio Ranieri’s side only two points above the bottom three.

They have eight points from eight games – seven less than they had at this stage last season and one less than they have in three Champions League games.

Teething problems, perhaps, as they juggle the demands of European football with the ‘bread and butter’ of the Premier League. But Ranieri will be well aware that a poor start can quickly lead to a relegation battle in England’s top flight.

“From one proud,” Ranieri said.

“From the other side, when I think of the Premier League, I’m very, very angry.

“But it’s OK because in my career this has happened. When for the first time you play in a big competition, you lose something when you go back in your league.

“This is normal but we want to change this way. It’s just psychological.

“When we play in the Champions League our special qualities switch on.”

“The Premier League is our priority,” added Ranieri. “We have to stay calm and change our mentality and focus.”

Leicester’s struggles in the Premier League continued in a 3-0 defeat by Chelsea at the weekend, meaning they have conceded 13 goals in their four away matches so far. Last year they leaked only 18 on the road all season.

The sale of holding midfielder N’Golo Kante to Chelsea has been a factor in Leicester’s fragility. In attack too they have problems with Jamie Vardy managing only two Premier League goals so far compared to nine this time last year. Algerian playmaker Riyad Mahrez, scorer against Copenhagen, is also struggling domestically, netting just once from the penalty spot so far.

He was ‘rested’ against Chelsea, a move vindicated by his impressive display on Tuesday.

But with Champions League progress all but assured, Ranieri’s focus must now switch to the domestic front where it was always going to be a difficult task to back up last year’s astonishing exploits.

“You spend a lot of mental energy in the Champions League.

“When you come back you are a little down but this is normal. We want to change this mood because it is important now for us.” – Reuters