Leeds United 1 Villareal FC 1. Pre-season friendly that was less than friendly. The first team is shaping up nicely with the new boys fitting in as a whole team. Still a few passes going astray. The lack of a marquee striker was very evident in the lack of shots on goal.
As we are now in the Premier League there is a new start to the match with the EPL signature tune before the full house roared out Marching On Together. Welcome home. The stadium was a sea of yellow and blue shirts as the popular yellow shirt from last season competes with the new blue shirt.
It was a curious line up both in the first team line up and the substitutes, with some injuries. This is not the final first team. Schmidt started despite his likelihood of going out on loan.
This was an exciting watch and a good test for the Leeds and its strengthened defence as Villareal counter attacked in force and use the long ball behind our defenders effectively. It was a physical game – not that friendly – with Villareal taking advantage. Villareal, playing in yellow, will next go on to a friendly against Arsenal and have a Champions League campaign to look forward to.
There were some strong performances. The long ball to Nmecha in attack could be effective for us. Stach is going to be handful and gives us cross field passes. Gudmondson also impressed with a lot of running forward with and without the ball. He also looks magic on corner and free kick duty looking for the player at the back.
Gnonto started well with his pace on the left, although his main contribution was winning free kicks. Schmidt on the right had an indifferent game – not holding posssession and not getting back to defend. Longstaff looks promising but needs more game time.
Aaronson was our best man on the field setting up our goal and passing more, than his previous aimless dribbling. Ampadu is shaping up to be an influential captain commanding the ball from in front of the defence. Alongside him is Rodon, looking comfortable at Premier League level.
Leeds started brightly with some excellent one touch play going forward. There was a magic moment early when Ampadu coolly moved the ball away whilst two VillaReal players clattered each other. Our tall players showed with more jeapardy in the opposition penalty box.
VillaReal had the first real chance on goal on 25 minutes. Nmecha gave Leeds’their first chance on goal on 35 minutes. The first half ended with a finger tip save from Darlow.
There were many changes in second half. But Villareal grew into the game, passing more confidently and testing Meslier. VillaReal took the lead when they broke past Schmidt with Meslier giving a good reaction save but could not stop the follow up. More changes to the Leeds team paid off with an equaliser. The excellent Aaronson finding Piroe, who lacked service so far, for a poachers goal. The game became a little scrappy with VillaReal fouls. Harry Gray was given ten minutes replacing Aaronson both applauded well by the fans.
