Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers confirms Jamie Vardy, James Maddison and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are available to face Roma tomorrow and insists the Stadio Olimpico crowd won’t necessarily affect the Foxes.
The Premier League side visit Roma in the second leg of the Conference League semis tomorrow after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the King Power Stadium last week.
José Mourinho can reach his eighth European Final, while Roma fans dream of winning their first title since 2008.
The Stadio Olimpico will be sold out tomorrow, with over 70,000 fans attending the match, but Rodgers doesn’t seem too concerned by the atmosphere at the stadium tomorrow.
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The 49-year-old held a pre-match press conference in the morning and when asked whether the Foxes could be affected by the Olimpico crowd, he replied: “Not necessarily, they may want them to go forward a little bit more. But the system is based on being solid.
“The front two may press a little more and come up the pitch. I suspect the game will be similar, but they may be buoyed by that to attack more. The threat from Roma is on the counterattack and set-plays.
“It also could be a disadvantage. You know you have to deal with that pressure, but at the same time you can use it to your advantage. We have played in some big atmospheres, it won’t be anything too much new. We are looking forward to experiencing it.”
Vardy, Maddison and Dewsbury-Hall were reportedly in doubt for the game, but Rodgers confirms that they will be available against the Giallorossi tomorrow.
“They’re ok, they trained yesterday and came through well,” he said.
“Vardy is coming through well, so he’s ok for the game. He’s available to start. He’s ready. Everyone is fit and available, apart from Wilf and Ryan Bertrand.”
Rodgers feels Leicester ‘dominated’ Roma and Mourinho interrupts
“We’re playing now in a one-off game. I know we have been able to do a good job against difficult teams and that has really helped us.”
Rodgers gifted Mourinho a bottle of wine after the first leg in Leicester, so does he expect something in return from the Special One tomorrow?
“Cup of tea. I’m not a big drinker. I don’t mind a glass of wine. He doesn’t need to reciprocate. That was a gesture out of respect.”
Updates on Maddison, Dewsbury-Hall, and Vardy, plus Rodgers' thoughts on tomorrow's game.
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