PARIS, Dec 8, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers said his
side's errors have cost them dearly before they head to Napoli on Thursday
needing just a draw to secure a Europa League last 16 place.
Rodgers' side have won just twice since the end of October.
The Foxes lost 2-1 at Aston Villa on Sunday after conceding from a second-
half corner as they failed to win for the sixth time in eight games since
winning at Brentford on October 24.
"Defending set-pieces, it's really starting to hurt us. It starts to sap
our confidence when you concede the goals we've been conceding. That's a big
concern," Rodgers told the BBC.
"The story for us is we can play well but we have to cut out mistakes. Even
if we've won games recently we've made some mistakes. It's a worry for us.
But we'll find a solution," he added.
Napoli, who lost top spot in Serie A at the weekend for the first time
since late September, need to match Spartak Moscow's result at Legia Warsaw
due to their superior goal difference, to claim a knock-out spot.
Luciano Spalletti's team were also beaten at the weekend, losing 3-2 to
Atalanta, as AC Milan moved into the top spot.
Spalletti could be without up to eight players through injury for match
against Leicester at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
One positive for the home side is the expected return of Greece
international centre-back Kostas Manolas who returned to training on Tuesday.
Spalletti backed his outfit to compete despite the long list of absentees.
"This is a credible team that will allow us to stay in the group of the top
teams, until we get everyone back and then we'll be able to rotate more, but
this team as it stands has still enough to stay where we are," Spalletti
said.
"What we are doing is right and I am convinced we will go far like this,"
he added.
Elsewhere in the second-tier continental competition, Red Star Belgrade,
Braga and Mitdjylland can all finish top of Group F.
In Group A, Rangers head to Lyon with both sides already through but the
Scottish side furious at what they consider misleading advice about their
travelling supporters.
Rangers said on their website they were in an "almost impossible situation"
after they cancelled at least one flight believing Lyon had imposed a ban on
travelling fans.
In fact, French authorities said Rangers had misinterpreted a meeting at
which the possibility of such a ban was merely raised.
"We understand that the situation continues to cause uncertainty and
frustration with many supporters having cancelled their flights and/or
accommodation," the club said.
In the Europa Conference League, Tottenham welcome Group G leaders Rennes
needing a win to confirm their place in the last 16.
The French side, as well as AZ Alkmaar, Copenhagen, Feyenoord, Gent and
LASK have already secured their spots.