Leicester’s new signings produce varying performances as Burton secure Bass Charity Vase victory

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Burton Albion beat Leicester City by way of penalties on Saturday afternoon as the Pirelli Stadium opened its doors to supporters once again for the first time in over 500 days. 

A trio of fresh faces featured for the Foxes in the opening 45 minutes as Brendan Rodgers handed first starts to veteran left-back Ryan Bertrand, £17m signing Boubakary Soumaré and highly sought after Zambian forward Patson Daka.

Neither Bertrand nor Soumare were given the warmest of welcomes, both being clattered to the ground in the opening five minutes following challenges by Jonny Smith and Kane Hemmings. The Burton players perhaps taking the phrase ‘let ‘em know you’re there early on’ a little too seriously in this friendly affair.

Luckily for Daka, he did not follow the same fate. In fact, his first involvement did not even include him touching the ball, although it did fashion the opportunity for an opener.

In the seventh minute, the forward chased down a ball heading in the direction of Brewers’ goalkeeper Ben Garratt, forcing the 27-year-old into an error. Out of position, Garratt sent the ball straight to Leicester youngster Tawanda Masawanhise whose volleyed attempt flew just over the crossbar from outside of the box.

Bertrand was the busiest member of the trio as, against the odds, it was the hosts who were in control for the majority of the half. The defender was reliable throughout and, as expected, looks set to be another tactically shrewd Leicester signing.

A moment for his personal highlight reel came midway through his appearance when he found Masawanhise with a tidy pass through the legs of Jonny Smith before the teenager was fouled and a free-kick was won for the Foxes.

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The former Southampton man saved his most crucial involvement until last, however, as he quickly adjusted to hit the deck and block a well-struck Jacob Maddox effort which otherwise looked destined to hit the back of the net. Alongside the impressive Eldin Jakupovic in goal for the visitors, Bertrand was much to thank for Leicester not being behind at the break.

Now onto the duo that signed for a combined fee of £40m this summer from RB Salzburg and Lille respectively. The pair each have a domestic title to their name after last season’s successes, but how did they fare against League One opposition? Simply put, quietly. 

Daka’s aforementioned involvement was perhaps the only moment of his performance worth noting, the Burton backline were sound throughout and did an excellent job of isolating the striker.

The travelling support might have hoped for a little more from the player essentially brought in as the heir to Jamie Vardy’s throne. Fortunately, it was only a pre-season cameo appearance and can be taken with a pinch of salt. There is surely more to come from Erling Haaland’s former strike partner.

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Soumare was a little less quiet, but still not quite as influential as might have been expected of him. The Frenchman was ever so tightly marked throughout the duration of his appearance and saw his impact severely limited.

He did, however, showcase some impressive footwork, looking bright whenever the ball was at his feet. He rarely lost possession and certainly looked the livelier of the pair.

Leicester fielded a completely new side for the second-half, meaning the day came to an early end for the trio of new signings.

There was little to separate the two sides in the second period. Burton came the closest through a Tom Hamer diving header, but in the end, it didn’t trouble Daniel Iversen in goal as it flew just wide of the post.

With the score still level at full-time, a penalty shootout was required to decide who would lift this year’s edition of the Bass Charity Vase.

Remarkably, the Foxes failed to score on any of their first three attempts, handing the Brewers a clear path to victory which they took with open arms to defeat the odds and lift the trophy instead of their Premier League opposition. 

There is no debating that it was a below-par performance from the Foxes, however, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side were deserving of their triumph and fantastically controlled the game. It is, without doubt, a promising sign for Burton, who have a point to prove this season following their ‘great escape’ campaign of 2020/21. Could they be dark horses for promotion to the Championship?

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