Leeds United 1 AC Milan 1 – work in progress at the final friendly. Leeds have now not lost in 13 matches. But what they have done is drawn all three friendlies – two of whom are Champions League material. Whilst this will give the players confidence about the integration of the new additions, it is still work in progress. Wingers and a striker are needed to win matches.
Dublin proved a prime location: a massive Irish following helped to fill the Aviva stadium with over fifty thousand fans a sell out. Whilst our seat was excellent it was tempting to stay in the bar with its prime view over the goal. It showed how ageing Elland Road is and what an upgrade can look like. Having The Camden Bar in Dublin was a wonderful atmosphere to get the fans warmed up and fuelled on Guinness.
Farke spoke after the match that the team lacks “offence.” It was clear from the AC Milan match that Leeds are now set up to defend matches – which won’t be enough to keep them up – but not to win matches – which would get them the points they need to stay up. Leeds have strengthened the squad smartly with the seven new additions. But Leeds lack the budget to go out and get how they want; so they will need to wait for clubs to make the significant transfers before the other players that Leeds can afford are released.
In the first Leed were too wooden and we stretched by the slick passing by AC Milan. As against VillaReal Schmidt was exposed allowing AC Milan to use the width of the pitch. Too many times his marking was absent. Schmidt, only playing today because of Bogle’s injury, has to go.
Apart from hitting the post Leeds didn’t threaten with neither Gnonto or James giving much to Piroe to work on. But in the second half Leeds came out fighting. Longstaff tried to control the middle of the park but AC Milan continued to stretch Leeds on the wings. The arrival of Byram and Aaronson added more impetus to their forward play.
But it was Stach showed himself to be Leeds’ most important signing as he scored an absolutely screamer from the edge of the box to the other corner of the net.
Gudmundsson and Bijol with their height are going to prove hard to beat in Defence. We saw only 45 minutes of Perri so far, I suspect Darlow will start until Perri is match fit. Darlow made a finger tip save late on.
So another draw, work in progress. To be confident of staying up in the Premier League the remainder of the budget needs to go on left back, winger and striker.
