Analysis of Leicester's Europa League group

Leicester supporters will be disappointed after the draw. The Foxes were in pot 2 and there was always the chance of facing a team like Napoli or Monaco, but Brendan Rodgers' men have been given one if the toughest teams in pot 1. 

Leicester were drawn against Napoli, who have plenty of European pedigree, Spartak Moscow of Russia who are no pushovers and Legia Warsaw of Poland. All three clubs have plenty of experience of playing in the Champions League. Leicester will also be hoping the away game with Spartak is early on so that they do not have to play in freezing temperatures. 

It is worth remembering that coming top will see them go straight into the last 16 while coming 2nd would see them have to face a Champions League 3rd placed side over two legs to get into the last 16.  Even coming third would see them remain in European competition but they would have to play a 2nd placed Europa Conference League club over two legs. Leicester should be aiming for a top two spot or at least 3rd. However, if they do not bring their A game, they could easily finish bottom. 

Napoli are definitely Leicester's toughest opponents. Napoli have been in the Champions League many times, most recently in 2019-20, and last term, they came top of their Europa League group which included Real Sociedad, AZ Alkmaar and Croatian outfit Rijeka. That saw them reach the last 32 where they were surprisingly knocked out by La Liga side Granada. Napoli have plenty of familiar faces such as Fabian Ruiz, Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne, Mexico's Hirving Lozano and Matteo Politano. They will provide Leicester with a very stern test.

Spartak Moscow were drawn out of pot 3 and they were runners up in the Russian league last term. In fact, they dropped down from the Champions League after losing 4-0 on aggregate to Benfica in the third qualifying round. The Russians were not in Europe last season after coming 7th in 2019-20 and in that same campaign, they were knocked out of the Europa League play.offs by Braga. Victor Moses, formerly of Chelsea, Ezequiel Ponce and former Ajax and Sevilla forward Quincy Promes play for them.

Polish champions Legia Warsaw are the final team in group C. They were also in the Champions League qualifying rounds and knocked out Bodo/Glimt and Flora before losing to Dinamo Zagreb in the third qualifying round. A 4-3 aggregate victory over Slavia Prague assured Legia's place in the group stage. Despite being regulars in Europe, this is their first appearance since 2016-17 in the group stage of a European competition. Former Celtic and Southampton keeper Artur Boruc and former Porto midfielder Josue are in their team.

 

August 27, 2021