Leicester City welcomed OH Leuven to their Training Ground on 12 July 2025 for a friendly match that showcased their attacking prowess and resilience, culminating in a 2-1 victory after extra time. The match kicked off at 3:00 pm, providing an exciting afternoon of football for the players and coaching staff alike.
The Foxes lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, designed to provide both defensive stability and attacking flair. Jakub Stolarczyk took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Ricardo Pereira on the right, Olabade Aluko and Conor Coady as central defenders, and Victor Kristiansen on the left. In front of them, Harry Winks operated as a central midfielder, tasked with linking play and controlling the tempo. The attacking midfield quartet featured Kasey McAteer on the right, Wilfred Ndidi in a more advanced role centrally, Louis Page on the left, and Jeremy Monga, who was expected to provide width and creativity. Silko Thomas led the line as the lone striker, looking to exploit any defensive lapses from the opposition.
The substitutes for Leicester included Woyo Coulibaly, Wout Faes, Ben Nelson, Jayden Joseph, Oliver Skipp, Boubakary Soumare, Michael Golding, Wanya Marcal-Madivadua, Stephy Mavididi, Jordan Ayew, Stevie Bausor, James Justin, Caleb Okoli, Thomas Wilson-Brown, Luke Thomas, Hamza Choudhury, Sammy Braybrooke, Bilal El Khannouss, Jake Evans, Will Alves, and Patson Daka.
The match began with Leicester asserting their dominance early on. In the 9th minute, a cross from Jeremy Monga caused chaos in the OH Leuven defence, resulting in an own goal that put Leicester ahead. The Foxes continued to press, looking to extend their lead, but the first half ended with the scoreline at 1-0.
After the break, OH Leuven responded with renewed vigour. In the 51st minute, they equalised with a stunning long-range strike from the left foot of one of their players, leaving Stolarczyk with little chance to react. The match was now finely poised, with both teams searching for the decisive goal.
As the second half progressed, Leicester made a series of substitutions in the 60th minute, bringing on Woyo Coulibaly, Wout Faes, Ben Nelson, Jayden Joseph, Oliver Skipp, Boubakary Soumare, Michael Golding, Wanya Marcal-Madivadua, and Stephy Mavididi to inject fresh energy into the side. These changes aimed to regain control of the midfield and enhance their attacking options.
Despite Leicester's efforts, the match remained level at 1-1 as the clock ticked down. With the game heading into extra time, Leicester's persistence paid off. In the 118th minute, Jordan Ayew scored a remarkable goal directly from a corner kick, catching the OH Leuven defence off guard and sending the home crowd into raptures.
As the match approached its conclusion, Leicester made further substitutions, introducing James Justin, Caleb Okoli, Thomas Wilson-Brown, Luke Thomas, Hamza Choudhury, Sammy Braybrooke, Bilal El Khannouss, Jake Evans, Will Alves, and Patson Daka to maintain their lead and secure the victory.
The match concluded with Leicester City emerging victorious, 2-1, showcasing their depth and determination. Jeremy Monga's performance earned him the accolade of Player of the Match, highlighting his significant contribution to the team's success. This friendly encounter served as a promising indicator of Leicester's potential as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
