Oyinlola Awonuga Balogun (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Leicester were held to a 0-0 draw by Slavia Prague in the first leg of their Europa League clash at the Sinobo Stadium in Prague.
The Premier League side created the better chances in the first half with Harvey Barnes, who was denied by goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar, the closest to opening the scoring. Barnes also had penalty claims waved away after going down under a challenge from Tomas Holes.
Come second half, Slavia Prague upped the tempo, but clear-cut chances were few and far between for the hosts. The game started to open up in the closing stages and Barnes was inches away from picking out an unmarked Kelechi Iheanacho, who was brought on for Jamie Vardy, as the visitors went in search of a winner.
However, Leicester were left frustrated as the hosts held on to leave Brendan Rodgers’ side with plenty of work still to do in the second leg, which takes place at the King Power Stadium next Thursday.
Leicester began the game well as Marc Albrighton shot wide and James Maddison fired over inside the opening four minutes.
Arguably the best chance of the game came five minutes later when Youri Tielemans’ pass released Barnes in behind.
Alexander Bah and the winger surged into the box only to be denied by Kolar from close range.
At the other end, Slavia Prague threatened on the break and they created some half chances with Bah heading the best of them wide at the far post.