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Afolabi Ezekiel - December 7, 2024
In his first game in charge of Leicester City, Ruud van Nistelrooy gives hope to the players and fans with a midweek 3-1 crushing of West Ham United. Van Nistelrooy, who was given only two days to prepare the team to play, made right decisions, which helped Leicester climb up to 15th in the Premier League.
One of the remarkable choices by Van Nistelrooy was to drop Wout Faes, who has been performing poorly, making many errors at the back in recent game. What Leicester lacked in pace they got in the form of experience in the duo of Jannik Vestergaard and Conor Coady in defense. Coady made a goal-line clearance in a display that exemplified what Leicester had been lacking.
Van Nistelrooy also decided to impose Bilal El Khannouss and Facundo Buonanotte as twin attackers, another element of high-risk high-reward for this team, as those two players managed to provide energy and connection in Leicester’s midfield to make their attack much more efficient and effective.
The new manager also employed an out of possession tactical shape of 4-4-2 and an in-possession shape of 3-2-2-3. This formation focused on high press and great interplay in the midfield area of the field.
Admittedly, it wasn’t always the best time to have the ball secured to the pressing, but in terms of organization and counter-attacking, Leicester saw great improvements.
Here again, Van Nilsterooy’s approach was entirely different from his predecessor, who often thought twice before making a substitution.
Nistelrooy was a man of measures, he introduced Patson Daka and Faes just before Leicester’s second goal to add more energy and defensive strength. By so doing the manager was able to score the third goal due to Daka’s energy hence flexibility during the game.
At 37, Vardy is still considered a key player. His classic runs behind defence created the opening goal as he has scored under ten different Leicester managers.
The calm and composed look of Ruud Van Nistelrooy on the touchline was inspiring for his players. Well-groomed and poised, he led his team, barking what seemed to be statecraft instructions and was cool headed even in pressure.
These relationships with the coaching staff especially, the intervention of his much-trusted assistant Jelle ten Rouwelaar presented a teamwork culture.
The performance that Van Nistelrooy produced on his first match was a perfect combination of the tactical wise and motivational- management aspect. Though difficulties exist, the win over West Ham provides a good basis for Leicester’s move higher up the standings.
When asked later about the win, the Dutchman suggested he might be taking a bottle and celebrate with it – sure sign of how he can combine the fierce desire with the proper sense of humor.
The Van Nistelrooy period and era at Leicester have begun and if this kind of start is anything to go by then perhaps Leicester may be on their way to the top in the Premier League.
