Flu-hit Leeds United upset by Ujpest Dozsa, but Billy Bremner books date with Barcelona - on this day

Flu took hold of the Leeds United squad, robbing them of key players and hampering the performances of others in a European exit, on this day in 1969.
By Graham Smyth
Published 19th Mar 2020, 10:25 BST
Updated 19th Mar 2020, 10:26 BST
Leeds United, pictured before the semi-final of the European Cup against Barcelona, booked their place with a win against Anderlecht on this day in March 1975 (Pic: Getty)Leeds United, pictured before the semi-final of the European Cup against Barcelona, booked their place with a win against Anderlecht on this day in March 1975 (Pic: Getty)
Leeds United, pictured before the semi-final of the European Cup against Barcelona, booked their place with a win against Anderlecht on this day in March 1975 (Pic: Getty)

The Whites were upset again by Ujpest Dozsa away from home, having lost the first leg of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup third round 1-0 at Elland Road. The Hungarians became the first team to conquer Leeds in both legs of a European competition.

The mountain Don Revie's men had to climb in Budapest got bigger when Jack Charlton, Paul Reaney and Mike O'Grady were all forced to miss the second leg with flu.

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Norman Hunter, Billy Bremner, who filled in at right-back, Terry Cooper, Paul Madeley and Mick Jones all played through illness but could do little to prevent a 2-0 defeat.

It took 64 minutes for the hosts to finally break down their ailing English visitors, Madeley felling Ferenc Bene to concede a disputed penalty. Bremner and Johnny Giles picked up yellow cards for their vehement protestations, before Emo Solymosi sent Gary Sprake the wrong way.

Bremner moved into midfield and Terry Yorath came on for his European debut but when Bene found the net again on 75 minutes to put the tie behind United.

On March 19 six years later, Leeds tasted European success in Brussels, beating Anderlecht 1-0 in the second leg of the European Cup quarter-final thanks to a Bremner lob. The Whites would go on to face Spanish giants Barcelona.

Related topics:FluBarcelonaDon Revie