Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca anticipates more twists and turns in the Championship promotion race following their recent setback against Millwall. The Foxes’ bid for an immediate return to the Premier League suffered a blow as they fell to a 1-0 defeat, courtesy of a stunning Ryan Longman strike.
Despite back-to-back wins that had revitalized their promotion hopes and propelled them to the top of the table, Leicester’s loss allowed Leeds United to remain in second place after they could only manage a draw against Sunderland. Meanwhile, Ipswich Town, in third, have the opportunity to leapfrog both teams if they secure a victory over Watford on Wednesday.
Reflecting on the defeat, Maresca acknowledged the challenges his side faced, particularly in the first half, where they struggled to maintain possession and lacked fluidity. However, he emphasized the need to focus on the upcoming fixtures rather than dwelling on past results.
“It was a tough night, in the first half we struggled on the ball, we were not clean,” said Maresca.
“They defended very well. We expected in the second half to find more space but they scored a fantastic goal.
“Now is not the time to think too much. Tonight is gone.
“The last games are more or less similar for all the teams. Clubs are trying to survive or go up, the intensity is higher. It’s a problem for us, but for every club.
“If you watch the table yesterday, and tonight, and in two days, you’d go crazy. We have to go game by game.”
Millwall’s victory came courtesy of Longman’s spectacular goal in the 60th minute, a strike that saw him cut inside and unleash a powerful 25-yard effort that left Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen helpless. Despite a late opportunity for Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho, whose header was cleared off the line by Billy Mitchell, the Lions held on for a vital win.
Millwall manager Neil Harris praised his team’s resilience and character, highlighting their ability to bounce back from recent disappointments with a strong performance against the league leaders. He emphasized the significance of the victory and expressed optimism about the team’s progress moving forward.
Harris remarked, “We scored a goal that would win any game at this level. I thought it was an excellent Millwall performance. To play against arguably the best team in the league and limit them to very little was so impressive. We’re moving in the right direction. What I’m seeing in the group is a lot of positives.”