Nistelrooy reacts to 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City

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Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy reacts to 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City  29/12/2024  King Power Stadium, Leicester, UK

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00:00You must have taken a lot of encouragement from that performance.

00:03Yeah, I did. I think that's why it hurts a bit that we didn't take anything off the game today,

00:11because of the performance. I think we invested a lot, the players did,

00:18in getting a result in a certain way. It was excellent play, it was great play out from the

00:26back into the midfielders, into the final third, creating chances. It's a shame, it's a shame.

00:36I wish we could have taken something off the game because of the performance the players put in.

00:48Yeah, we created their moments in a great way. There was some excitement going on.

00:55Because of that level of football in the stadium, that's how I felt it.

01:00Also at half-time and at the final whistle there was a good connection with the crowd,

01:04and creating those chances from playing well.

01:09Of course, as a striker you know you need a bit of luck there in taking these moments,

01:16but of course it's where games are decided.

01:25The chances with the players despite the defeat,

01:28that must have been really pleasing for you especially after the last game?

01:32Yeah, it's very positive. Of course, you're referring to after the Wolves game,

01:41of course that wasn't easy for us, but we could understand it in a way as well with disappointment.

01:50Not on an individual, we can never understand that, but as a whole, yes.

01:57But today I felt the performance reflected also in the stands,

02:03and was visible in the reaction of some great attacks and some great football.

02:09Also some work rate where players are chasing and fighting until the end,

02:12that reflected in the stands. That's why I feel sorry for this performance, for the team.

02:19We couldn't take anything off the game in points.

02:30Yeah, of course there's two ways to look at results, at football in results purely,

02:40and when you lose you're bad and when you win you're great.

02:42But of course we are working with players every day, we want to play in a certain way,

02:46we want to develop players in their roles, in that game model, in that idea of football.

02:54And when things come off on the pitch on a day like this against a great side,

02:59then of course you as manager and coaches and squad, you feel that you're developing something,

03:07and that is a nice feeling. But the best feeling is to make sure that we collect points.

03:15But of course, it's a foundation to build on, that's for sure.

03:22Decent performance. No, he was good, he was excellent.

03:26I think it suits him as well, the way we're trying to play.

03:32Of course, kicking the ball up the park, he won't be the one to hold it up for you,

03:38but when we're starting to play through the middle, finding these half-spaces and

03:46finding Facundo, Bilal, then these players can flourish, and that's what the team did today.

03:52They made each other strong, I think players were playing in their role, reaching their top levels,

04:02and that's what you want from a team, and I think Bilal deserves a big compliment today

04:06in his work rate off the ball and also on the ball, he showed how technical and skilful he is.

04:19Maintaining his training levels, he's been doing really well in training,

04:26that's why he's there, he's pushing for a place in the squad.

04:31What he has is speed, good feet, he can create something powerful,

04:38so it's what we need on the wings, players who can take on one-on-ones,

04:45get balls in the opponent's box and get past people to create chances for us,

04:52and Will is capable of that, but of course he's very young,

04:56he needs to keep working like he's doing now.

05:00I'll take one here and then we'll go across to the left.

05:02You mentioned a very impressive attacking performance,

05:06and obviously City also didn't create too many chances,

05:09but like in previous games, they conceded twice.

05:13As you're developing in Aston, probably results will start going through,

05:18but what do you think is the key to stop those goals going into...

05:22Yeah, I think after the Wolves game I referred to structural mistakes, or individual mistakes,

05:30it's something we have to separate.

05:32I think Jacob had a fantastic debut, he had a great game today,

05:38so only credits for him, of course, but he's not happy with the first goal.

05:43And that's credit to him, that he's thinking like that, he owes that,

05:51it's something we have to accept and it will happen,

05:56but we have to reduce these moments to stay in the game or take the lead yourself.

06:02But on the other hand as well, it's taking those opportunities

06:06that we had against Wolves and also at Anfield,

06:10I think a couple there that we could put away.

06:14So both boxes is what we know will make the difference in points,

06:19so that's something that we're definitely looking at.

06:22Ruud, you seemed to be talking to Savinho at the end,

06:26you had him at PSV, I was just wondering what you said to him also,

06:30what you hate with him from then to now?

06:34Yeah, when you work with players it's great to develop them,

06:38and when you see him two years later and he's developed really well,

06:41then I thought, what have I done?

06:44But I congratulated him on his performance,

06:48of course as a young kid coming from Brazil,

06:51he came into PSV, we took care of him,

06:55developed him in a certain way of playing that really suits Manchester City.

07:00I wasn't surprised they took him, because you could see his quality today,

07:06how good he is on the ball, also off the ball with his deep runs,

07:10but he's technically very gifted, a great character,

07:14he'll be definitely there for the Brazilian national team

07:18and in the top level of football.

07:20So I congratulated him on the performance, although it hurt a bit.

07:24Did you just wish you couldn't come against him?

07:27Yeah, I wished.

07:33Thanks, guys. Have a good New Year.

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