Leeds United 2 Villarreal 2 RECAP - Whites sign off for new season with entertaining draw
The fixture against the Europa League champions is being held behind closed doors, one week before the Whites begin their second season back in the Premier League with a clash against arch rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Leeds first team are still seeking their first victory of pre-season.
We will bring you all the early team news followed by live match updates and reaction at our live blog here.
Leeds United 2 Villarreal 2 - LIVE
Key Events
- Leeds United’s final pre-season friendly of the summer
- 7pm kick-off behind closed doors
The final friendly...
Here we go then with Leeds United’s final friendly of the summer - against very strong opposition in Europa League holders Villarreal who finished last season’s La Liga in seventh place. But the Yellow Submarine are heading for the Champions League having won the Europa League. Team news will be with us at around 6pm. Will we be looking at starts for Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips? Phillips and Cooper played no part in United’s opening first team friendlies against Blackburn Rovers or Real Betis but the duo both started as a Leeds XI took on Ajax under-21s on Wednesday lunchtime. And what about Diego Llorente, Jamie Shackleton and Junior Firpo? Llorente went off injured in last weekend’s pre-season friendly against Betis whilst Shackleton came off following a blow to the head in Wednesday night’s first team clash against Ajax. Firpo missed that contest having started both of United’s other two first team friendlies against Betis and Blackburn. All will be revealed at 6pm.
Chelsea next...
For Villarreal in just four days’ time in the UEFA Super Cup as the Europa League holders meet the Champions League winners at Windsor Park. Expect them to be very sharp.
Leeds team:
Leeds United v Villarreal: Meslier, Ayling, Cooper, Koch, Dallas, Struijk, Klich, Raphinha, Harrison, Rodrigo, Bamford.
Alfonso Pedraza
Starts for Villarreal against his former side. A lot has changed since his spell on loan at the club in 2017.
One change
To the team that lined up against Ajax - Cooper in for Shackleton. No Summerville or Jenkins on the bench
Back come Leeds
4: That goal was surreal. Nine seconds in. Leeds now looking to respond, Dallas cross from the left reaches Raphinha whose cross back into the area is gathered. Leeds come again and Raphinha’s shot from the edge of the box flies wide.
Almost three at the back for Leeds
It’s always fluid but Cooper, Koch and Struijk are more or less level at times at the back. Koch and Struijk taking it turns to move into a CDM role. Ayling is right back/right wing back. Dallas on the other side. Klich centre mid, Rodrigo ahead of him.
Lovely goal from Klich
9: Leeds have been good since that shocker after nine seconds. Raphinha corner on the right cleared but only to Klich who is 20 yards out and takes his time before firing home a superb low shot into the bottom left corner. Klich is scoring goals.
Double chance Villarreal
13: Meslier denies first Yeremy and then Pedraza. Decent enough chances. Very open game.
Good tackle
19: By Dallas on Yeremy at left back just as Villarreal looked set to break clear. Klich looking lively again, fine goal and lots of pressing from him in particular
Not quite
21: Leeds break. Klich to Rodrigo to Klich again, pass to Harrison is not controlled and out for a goal kick, Dallas tackle started the move.
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