Leicester City team news v Bournemouth as Key players sidelined amid nine changes
How Leicester City line up at the Vitality Stadium as boss Enzo Maresca stays true to his vow and rotates heavily for the FA Cup fifth-round tie on the south coast
Arjan Raikhy has been handed his full Leicester City debut with Enzo Maresca making nine changes for the FA Cup clash at Bournemouth.
Maresca promised heavy rotation and has delivered, with only Hamza Choudhury and Jannik Vestergaard keeping their places from City’s loss at Leeds. Raikhy is the standout name of those coming into the side, and could either play in the deep midfield role, usually occupied by Harry Winks, or as a number eight, where he has played in his two senior substitute performances.
Also coming into the side are goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk, defenders Conor Coady and Callum Doyle, midfielders Dennis Praet and Yunus, wingers Marc Albrighton and Wanya Marcal, and striker Tom Cannon. The latter is preferred to Kelechi Iheanacho, who is on the bench for the first time since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Raikhy and Marcal are not the only young players involved in the squad. Attacking midfielder Logan Briggs and winger Silko Thomas are both on the bench and will make their debut if they come into the side.
There are a few first-team regulars Maresca can turn to if they are struggling against Premier League opposition. James Justin, Ricardo Pereira, and Abdul Fatawu are among the substitutes.
City (4-3-3): Stolarczyk; Choudhury, Coady, Vestergaard, Doyle; Raikhy, Praet, Yunus; Albrighton, Cannon, Marcal. Subs: Ward, Nelson, Souttar, Justin, Ricardo, Briggs, Thomas, Fatawu, Iheanacho.
Maresca did as he had promised and heavily rotated his 11. Nine changes were made with Arjan Raikhy the standout fresh face, the 21-year-old midfielder trusted with the Harry Winks role on his first start for the club.
And the much-changed side started positively against their Premier League opponents, fashioning a few half-chances against a back four that all started against Manchester City a few days previously. But Bournemouth grew into the game and their man-to-man pressure made City look a little uncomfortable.
Jakub Stolarczyk was playing to the Maresca blueprint but that was putting team-mates in trouble and the Cherries were capitalising, going close as Enes Unal had a shot blocked near the line by Hamza Choudhury before Alex Scott turned over from close range. Unal then nearly flicked in after pinball in the City box.
However, it was City who came closest to scoring. Bournemouth gave the ball away under pressure from Dennis Praet and Marc Albrighton ran at goal, striking a low shot against the base of the post. On the rebound, Wanya Marcal’s stinging drive drew a fine save from Mark Travers high to his right.
Bournemouth started the second period on top, but a resolute defensive showing from City restricted their chances. In fact, they only came close when a Marcos Senesi cross bounced all the way through and onto the post.
But as the half went on, and the likes of Fatawu and Kelechi Iheanacho were introduced, City grew stronger. And they had the best two chances to win it inside 90 minutes.
The first was the golden opportunity, Choudhury slipped through a delightful ball to Yunus, but all on his own in the box, he struck over the bar with his weaker right foot. Then Iheanacho’s cute lay-off sent Ricardo Pereira running through, but he toe-poked wide.
Ninety minutes couldn’t separate the sides and so something magical was needed in the extra half-hour. Fatawu delivered. Iheanacho laid the ball back to the Ghanaian and from 25 yards, he curled a brilliant shot to the top corner, Travers unable to keep it out.
City go into the draw for the last eight on Wednesday night, where they could be paired against local rivals Coventry for a fight to reach the semi-finals. Here’s how we scored the players.
