Rennes saw their first UEFA Europa Conference League defeat of the season, courtesy of Leicester City who will take a two-goal lead into the second-leg of their Round of 16 ties. Marcus Albrighton’s stunning finish and Kelechi Iheanacho’s late goal were enough for the Foxes.Rennes sustained pressure through a series of fluid attacks and dominated early proceedings and applied. As his fifth-minute attempt to add to a five-goal tally in the UECL, Gaetan Laborde fired an early warning to Leicester with seeing his attempt flash dangerously past the post. Leicester broke the deadlock after easing themselves into the tie and it came in spectacular fashion – at the half-hour mark, Harvey Barnes burst past his marker and his inviting cutback was met by a thunderous first-time strike from Albrighton. Englishman’s attempt rocketed into the net from the edge of the box, leaving Gomis helpless.He got too much hate last time out. Comes out with a goal and an assist. Marc Kevin Albrighton 😍 pic.twitter.com/SDke5aaWIS— Castagneszn (@CastagneLCFC) March 10, 2022 A response was widely anticipated from the Rouge et Noir after half-time, given the fact that Rennes were unbeaten in all eight of their prior UECL outings this season. With both teams keen to move the ball forward quickly, a lively second period ensued. Kasper Schmeichel was well-placed on his line to prevent a potential leveler sent by Nayef Aguerd.The French visitors were continuously frustrated by Schmeichel and with the Dane shining, Rennes found it increasingly difficult to craft chances in front of goal. Martin Terrier slipped into the box but his low shot was saved by the feet of the outstretched Leicester stopper.CONFERENCE LEAGUE: Unconvincing Roma head home with a goal in frontBrendan Rodgers’ side closed out the game with a goal from substitute Kelechi Iheanacho who clinically slotted in a second goal in added time. The Foxes secured a deserved victory in their first-ever UEFA encounter against a French club.With Leicester recording a fourth-straight win in all competitions Rodgers will be able to reflect positively on the result. After suffering his first defeat to an English team, Bruno Génésio now faces a stiff test if his Rennes team are to advance from next week’s home leg in Brittany.Kelechi Iheanacho’s first European goal of the season 🤟 pic.twitter.com/RBwnLtXzxD— GOAL (@goal) March 10, 2022 EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUERound of 16 – first legThursdayPAOK – Gent 1-0 (0-0)/Kurtic 58/Vitesse – Roma 0-1 (0-1)/Oliveira 45+1/Slavia Praha – LASK 4-1 (2-0)/Sor 3, 29, Olayinka 83, Traore 85 – Balic 67/Partizan – Feyenoord 2-5 (1-1)/Natcho 13, Jovic 46 – Toornstra 20, 77, Dessers 52, Geertruida 64, Sinisterra 71/Olympique Marseille – Basel 2-1 (1-0)/Milik 19 pen, 68 – Esposito 79/Leicester – Rennes 2-0 (1-0)/Albrighton 30, Iheanacho 90+3/PSV – Copenhagen 4-4 (1-3)/Gakpo 21, 70, Doan 50, Zahavi 85 – Johannesson 6, Biel 23, 78, Lerager 43, /Bodo – AZ Alkmaar 2-1 (1-0)/Pellegrino 29, Solbakken 90+1 pen – Aboukhlal 73/***odds are subject to change
