Mateusz Wieteska (L, front) of Legia tackles Patson Daka of Leicester during the Europa League Group C football match between Legia Warsaw and Leicester City in Warsaw, Poland, Sept. 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Adam Starszynski)
WARSAW, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Legia Warsaw continued a perfect start in the group phase of the UEFA Europa League as the Polish champion beat 1-0 Leicester City on Thursday.
The Polish side dreamed about another success after they won over Spartak Moscow in their first match of the group phase. On Thursday it was Mahir Emreli who led the team to the massive victory as the striker found the net in the 31st minute.
Legia sits at the top of the table with six points while Leicester is fourth as Brendan Rodgers's players earned one point after they drew against SSC Napoli.
On Thursday they were seen as a strong favorite but they thwarted several chances in the second half.
Legia made a strong start to have possession and force Leicester to defend. The hosts should have broken the deadlock with 15 minutes on the clock, but striker Mahir Emreli put the ball over the crossbar from close range.
In the 31st minute the Azerbaijani forward was more clinical. After a good pass from Josue the forward dealt with Daniel Amartey's attack and he arrowed the ball into the far post from 16 meters, while the goalie Kasper Schmeichel just looked at how the ball hit the post and went to the net.
The team coached by Brendan Rodgers had a perfect chance to respond just before the break but Ayoze Perez couldn't beat Cezary Miszta in one-on-one situation as he missed the target.
In the second half the visitors turned the pace, while Legia focused on the defensive and tried to find fast attacks.
In the 65th minute the 19-year-old Cezary Miszta made a spectacular save to stop Jannik Vestergaard's header from the very close range. Five minutes later Patson Daka received a stunning pass but he couldn't control the ball in the penalty area. In the final stage of the game Legia's defense was desperate but the visitors didn't find an equalizer.
On October 20 Leicester will host Spartak Moscow, while Legia will play against SSC Napoli on the road the day later. Enditem
