JibrinLeicester City Star Endures Champions League ‘Ordeal’ That Spells Trouble
The Belgian international made his first appearance in Europe’s elite club competition on Tuesday evening, with his current side, Monaco, falling 3-2 at home to titleholders PSG in the opening leg of the play-off round.
It was a night to forget for the Leicester City defender as his loan club, Monaco, succumbed 3-2 to reigning champions PSG on his Champions League debut.
The Foxes’ centre-back, who secured a loan switch to the French principality last month until the summer, was given his maiden opportunity in Europe’s premier tournament on Tuesday night, but the evening unravelled quickly.
Monaco stormed into a 2-0 lead within the opening twenty minutes, but it was their on-loan Leicester man who handed PSG a potential route back into the contest.
In the 21st minute, the Belgian allowed a routine pass to roll beneath his foot, gifting possession to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, before lunging in on the Georgian to concede a penalty.
The defender’s embarrassment was temporarily eased by goalkeeper Philipp Kohn, who kept out Vitinha’s subsequent spot-kick. However, the momentum had already shifted irreversibly.
Desire Doue pulled one back shortly after the saved penalty, and Achraf Hakimi had the visitors level before the interval.
With Monaco reduced to ten men following Aleksandr Golovin’s dismissal early in the second half, Doue struck again to secure victory for the holders, handing them a crucial advantage heading into the second leg of the play-off on home soil.
Prominent French publication L’Equipe led their player ratings with a summary of the player’s “ordeal,” handing him a 3/10—the lowest score of any participant in the fixture, with the sent-off Golovin receiving a 4/10.
L’Equipe commented: “In his first Champions League match, the Belgian started well but made a double error in the penalty area, losing possession and, more importantly, making an inexplicable tackle.
“Struggling when PSG’s play intensified, he often looked on the verge of breaking point, even though he did manage to block a few shots.”
Local outlet Monaco Matin awarded the defender a 4/10, stating: “His first Champions League match was marred by his poor first touch and desperate tackle on Kvaratskhelia.
“This unnecessary action spoiled an otherwise convincing start, marked by two interventions that prevented Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia from equalizing.
“Booked and injured, he defended shakily, and was easily beaten by Kvaratskhelia just before half-time.”
The Leicester loanee played out the match in front of Belgium manager Rudi Garcia, whom he is eager to impress ahead of the World Cup this summer.
Securing a spot in the national setup was a significant factor in Wout Faes’ desire to depart the King Power Stadium, with Garcia having previously stated he would not select any player not featuring in a top-flight division.
Faes is committed to Monaco until the end of the season, though his loan agreement includes a purchase clause. Consequently, if Leicester City wish to facilitate a permanent sale, they will be relying on the Belgian to deliver strong performances during his brief stint in the principality.
This fixture marked his fourth appearance for the club. So far, he has recorded one win, one draw, and one loss in Ligue 1 action.
Jibrin
