Leicester gave up a two-goal lead as a Victor Osimhen double secured a well-earned 2-2 draw for Napoli in Thursday’s Europa League opener.
Leicester started brightly, and after Harvey Barnes got here near netting an early purpose, Ayoze Perez did handle to seek out the again of the online, thundering dwelling from a cross inside the primary ten minutes.
That prime tempo continued for the rest of the primary half. Each side have been urgent excessive and forcing errors, with Napoli finally taking management and having the very best possibilities of the half as Kasper Schmeichel needed to pull out some glorious saves to disclaim Piotr Zielinski and Hirving Lozano.
Napoli maintained the sting after the break, however Leicester nearly snatched a second in opposition to the run of play after VAR known as Patson Daka’s strike again for a type of armpit offsides.
That second purpose did come a couple of minutes later as Harvey Barnes completed off a superb counter-attack to present Leicester a two-goal lead with 25 minutes to go.
Napoli bought themselves again in it only a few minutes later, pulling off an absurd staff transfer which led to an excellent chip from Osimhen, and the Nigerian popped up with a header three minutes from time to earn Napoli a deserved level.
To rub salt within the wounds, Leicester ended the sport with ten males because the otherwise-excellent Wilfred Ndidi was proven his second yellow card in stoppage time.
Kasper Schmeichel (GK) – 8/10 – Needed to be alert to drag off a handful of sensible saves. Prevented Leicester from falling two or three behind.
Timothy Castagne (RB) – 7/10 – Made a goal-saving block from Zielinski within the first half and continued to impress defensively. Actually aggressive on Lorenzo Insigne.
Jonny Evans (CB) – 6/10 – Did all his defending pretty effectively however was completely battered by Victor Osimhen’s tempo all evening lengthy. Introduced off on the break.
Jannik Vestergaard (CB) – 5/10 – Equally as mauled by Osimhen’s athleticism however barely extra uncomfortable below strain. Far too weak for Napoli’s opener.
Ryan Bertrand (LB) – 5/10 – Wanted extra assist from Barnes on the again. Visibly shaky and was slightly overloaded when Napoli began flowing.
Wilfred Ndidi (DM) – 7/10 – Spectacular defensively however picked up an early yellow card and was clearly reluctant to throw himself at something after that. Acquired himself despatched off in stoppage time for an inevitable second yellow.
Ayoze Perez (CM) – 7/10 – His first purpose in 15 video games. Confirmed actual power in assault and took his purpose effectively, though did not supply the creativity wanted as a midfielder and was taken off at half-time.
Boubakary Soumare (CM) – 5/10 – Discovered it onerous to get entangled. Just a little overzealous defensively and seemed hesitant to contain himself in assault.
Patson Daka (RW) – 6/10 – Felt slightly remoted out of place on the wing. Drifted inside after the break and got here agonisingly near getting his purpose.
Kelechi Iheanacho (ST) – 6/10 – Tasked with roaming round attempting to convey these round him into the sport. Did an honest job however appeared decided to not shoot.
Harvey Barnes (LW) – 8/10 – Glorious in assault. An excellent cross for Perez’s opener and took his personal purpose with good composure. Confirmed an finish product that hasn’t at all times been there.
Caglar Soyuncu (CB) – 4/10 – Introduced on to take care of Osimhen’s tempo and did a touch higher job at that, however his arrival coincided with a noticeable drop in efficiency from the Foxes’ backline..
Youri Tielemans (CM) – 4/10 – Did not supply the management or composure that he was introduced on to supply. Struggled below strain and was responsible of giving the ball away for Napoli’s opener. Actually off the boil.
Ademola Lookman (RW) – 6/10 – Some shiny flashes on the ball throughout his brief spell on the pitch.
James Maddison (CM) – 6/10 – Got here on too late to make any actual distinction.
Jamie Vardy (ST) – N/A