Leicester City were 5,000-1 outsiders to win the Premier League
In August 2015 Leicester City were 5,000-1 outsiders to win the Premier League. It was more likely that the Loch Ness Monster would be discovered, the bookmakers said.
However, the football world was taken aback when Claudio Ranieri’s team won the championship nine months later. In its 132-year history, it was their first time winning the top level.
This is the tale of how a team that was once a relegation favorite rose to prominence in the world of sports.
You may observe how the supporters rejoiced, how the city profited, and how the team accomplished this outstanding accomplishment.
The Foxes had appeared destined to be relegated for a large portion of the previous season until Nigel Pearson’s seven victories in their last nine games lifted them out of last place and into 14th.
Although they had momentum, no one could have predicted the amazing journey that would ensue under new head coach Claudio Ranieri.
Key Tactical Change
One of Ranieri’s most important early decisions was to abandon the back-three configuration that had been so effective in the latter part of 2014–15.
A compact 4-4-2 system designed to counterattack with devastating efficiency was adopted by the Italian.
In order to punish opponents on the break, he intended to use two well-organized banks of four, with a dynamic deep-lying striker operating behind a quick center-forward.
In 35 of their 38 games, Leicester, who had used 11 different formations the previous season, stuck to this 4-4-2, which turned into a 4-4-1-1 out of possession.
Ranieri’s first-choice line-up had an extremely familiar feel: Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Kante, Albrighton; Okazaki, Vardy.
Of that group of players, Japan international Okazaki made the fewest starts with 28. Seven individuals featured for over 3,000 of the 3,420 total minutes.
N’Golo Kante’s excellent debut season
N’Golo Kante’s excellent debut season served as inspiration for Leicester’s incredibly strong 2015–16 spine.
It was difficult to overcome the Foxes’ unwavering defense line. Additionally, opposing teams kept leaving themselves vulnerable to counterattacks, possibly displaying a certain amount of complacency.
Jamie Vardy’s (24 goals, 6 assists) and Riyad Mahrez’s (17 goals, 11 assists) skill frequently made the difference on the counter attacks.
This story of perseverance and teamwork, proved to be pivotal for the success in the Premier League. The world has never seen such a story and it is safe to say that it will take only a special band of players who can come together as a team and achieve this feat.
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