Leicester's tragic end

Leicester officially relegated.

The final whistle at King Power Stadium did not simply end a match, it rang out like a bell signaling the end of an era. The cruel 0-1 defeat to Liverpool officially relegated Leicester City, ending a season full of disappointment and instilling in the hearts of "Foxes" fans an indescribable sadness.

Gone were the chants of “Foxes Never Quit”, gone was the frenzied atmosphere that once rocked the Premier League. Instead, there was an eerie silence, and blank stares towards the tunnel, where Leicester’s players bowed their heads and left the pitch like defeated men. The bitter truth had been revealed: their Premier League dream was shattered.

The ominous signs have been there for a long time. A long run of poor results, inconsistent play, and above all, an inability to score important points have made Leicester fans accept a grim outlook.

The match against Liverpool, despite the players fighting with all they had left, could not bring about a miracle. Trent Alexander-Arnold's only goal not only kept Liverpool's title hopes alive but also closed the door on Leicester's relegation.

But the attention of the audience at the stadium was not only focused on the action on the pitch. Before the match, a plane hovered over the King Power, dragging an angry banner: "King Power clueless, sack the board". It was the bitter voice of Leicester fans who felt the board had failed to steer the team through the storm.

This is a reality that has been predicted for the "Foxes" for many months.

In fact, Leicester's situation is not a surprising development. The "Foxes" have shown signs of running out of steam for a long time. They lack the cohesion, the breakthrough and above all, the mettle of a Premier League team. The crushing 0-3 defeat to Wolves right on Christmas was like a red alert, signaling a journey of unstoppable decline.

The decision to change coach, when Steve Cooper had to make way for Ruud van Nistelrooy, did not have the expected effect. Under the guidance of the famous former striker, Leicester remained in crisis.

The attack lacked the necessary sharpness, while the defense was fragile. The statistic of only scoring one goal after every 164 minutes of play clearly exposed the deadlock of the "Foxes" on the attacking front.

In the decisive match against Liverpool, despite some efforts and a few unfortunate crossbar hits, Leicester were still unable to penetrate their opponents' solid defense. Meanwhile, Liverpool played leisurely, completely controlled the game and easily scored the decisive goal.

Another heartbreaking statistic is that Leicester have gone nine consecutive home games without scoring, an unacceptable number for a team fighting for survival in the top flight. The absence of key players due to injury and the decline in form of many other players has seriously weakened Leicester's strength.

Van Nistelrooy's presence on the coaching bench did not bring improvement to Leicester.

A lacklustre 1-1 draw with Brighton 133 days ago seemed like a forewarned end. While the football world kept spinning, Leicester were still struggling in their own mess, unable to find a way out. They became one of the three bottom teams in Premier League history, and the 2024/25 season will forever be a sad memory, a reminder of the harshness and unpredictability of top-flight football.

Now, Leicester fans can only swallow their tears and hope for a brighter future in the First Division. The journey back to the Premier League will certainly be arduous, but with the pride and resilience that helped them write a miraculous championship story, "The Foxes" probably will not give up easily. However, for now, they must face the harsh reality: Leicester City have been relegated, a sad end to a glorious chapter in history.

Source: https://znews.vn/doan-ket-bi-kich-cua-leicester-post1547470.html