Schmeichel concerned by leaky Leicester

Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel confessed he is at a loss to explain the club’s poor defensive record.

The Foxes came from behind to claim a point against Spartak Moscow in Europa League Group C on Thursday after Daniel Amartey cancelled out Victor Moses’ opener.

Leicester had a chance to secure victory when Moses gave away a penalty but substitute Jamie Vardy saw his spot-kick saved.

Moses’ goal meant Brendan Rodgers’ side have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last nine games in all competitions, and have only managed one in their last 15.

Schmeichel told BT Sport: “We are conceding too many goals at the moment but had enough chances to win it.

“Why are we conceding? If I knew it wouldn’t be happening. It is something we are working on every single day but is not working too well at the minute.

“The game was there to be won. We dominated most of the game and they had a couple of chances and scored. We are conceding too many goals at the moment but had enough chances to win it.

“When you are not getting the luck you have to dig in and work harder. We have to look at ourselves, we cannot blame anyone else and have a massive Premier League game coming up against Leeds United.”

BIG stop from the spot

Aleksandr Selikhov denies Jamie Vardy! #UEL https://t.co/oG9yLJLk1R pic.twitter.com/k7N1s08hLF

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 4, 2021

Leicester have won just one of their last six games in the Europa League (drawn three, lost two), while failing to keep a clean sheet in each of the last five.

They were poor in front of goal against the Russian side, with just three of their 13 attempts on target despite enjoying 76.9 per cent of possession.

Group C is wide open, though, with third-placed Leicester a point behind second-placed Legia Warsaw and two behind leaders Napoli.

The Foxes play both sides in their remaining two fixtures which means their fate is in their own hands.

Kelechi Iheanacho acknowledged Leicester’s forward players were equally culpable as their defensive colleagues for the draw with Spartak and they must improve in front of goal to qualify for the knockout phase.

“It was a frustrating game, we conceded a sloppy goal but got back into the game,” added the Foxes striker.

“We were on them for the last 10 minutes, tried every means to score but we have to focus on the next two games now. Hopefully we will win and go through.

“The first half we kept the ball well and moved it quickly, in the second half we came out well but it was one of those games. We have to do a bit more.

“We missed a couple, we need to do more in the offensive side. It didn’t come tonight.

“Everyone is down at the moment, we need to now focus on the next games. The Premier League first then look to progress in the Europa League.”