“It was a tough game, we’re going to trust him and give him more chances” Maresca gives Patson Daka a reason to stay on Leicester side
Leicester manager Enzo Maresca believes Patson Daka can maintain his position even when both Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho are fit again, as seen by his goal in the 3-2 win over Millwall.
The Zambia international scored for the second consecutive game, contributing to the Foxes’ comeback and securing a victory that propelled them back to the top of the Championship table, leading Ipswich by one point.
Daka got his second start this season, after patiently waiting for his opportunity which came due to Vardy’s injury and Iheanacho’s illness.
Maresca verified that Vardy will miss Monday’s match against Birmingham due to a knee problem, with Iheanacho expected to be ready for the game.
The Italian says Daka, who will go to the African Cup of Nations next month, deserves to stay in the team.
“I’ve been quite clear with them,” said Maresca.
“If you’re playing, you deserve it. If someone comes in and they’re doing well, you need to work.
“Patson is scoring goals and working hard, after three or four months of having to wait. We’re going to trust him and give him more chances, no doubt.”
Tom Bradshaw scored first for Millwall, but in the second half, Jannik Vestergaard, Daka, and Ricardo Pereira, whose shot was deflected by Wilfred Ndidi, secured the victory.
“It was a tough game. We expected them in one way. But since the new manager arrived, they have played always in a line of four. Here, they came here with a line of five and two holding midfielders. Maresca added.
“In the first half, we were in control of the game, but without creating clear chances. At half-time, we adjusted some things.
“Instead of attacking with five, we attacked with six. We brought one more player in the last line. It was much better second half for sure.”
In related news, the manager of Millwall stated that they were there to win but a draw would have been acceptable.
“We came here with with clear plan, which is all well and good, but the players have to execute it,” said Millwall manager Joe Edwards.
“I thought they did it to a tee in the first half. We had our moments. At half-time, we were pleased with our work and knew we’d given ourselves a chance.
“We felt confident we could go and do it again. But we conceded a sloppy goal, and after that we weren’t quick enough to things. Not clinical.
“Then we started playing well again in the last 10 minutes. For two minutes at the end, it’s game on.
“You’re always hoping to win, but a draw would’ve been a great result. We felt that if we came to Leicester with a high press and went toe to toe with them, we wouldn’t get any rewards by losing 4-0.
“But we felt we wanted to show we could offer a threat. It was a frustrated place at half-time, you could feel that. That’s what we came to do. The question then is ‘how long can we sustain it?’”
