Leeds United achieved a 2-0 victory against RB Leipzig in a pre-season friendly held at Elland Road. The match, structured over 120 minutes, saw goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, contributing to an impressive pre-season campaign for Daniel Farke’s side.
The encounter, which featured RB Leipzig, last season’s third-placed Bundesliga team, was designed to provide extensive playing time for the squad members. The attendance for the match was recorded at 24,630, with Craig Pawson officiating as the referee.
First Half Action and Opening Goal
Play commenced under clear skies, with Leeds United debuting their new home kit in West Yorkshire. An early offensive move down the left flank led to a corner, taken by Sean Longstaff. Although an initial scramble resulted in the ball being bundled into the net, the goal was disallowed by referee Craig Pawson due to an alleged foul during the build-up.
Moments later, Leeds launched another swift attack. Defender Joe Rodon made a strong run down the right flank and delivered a cross into the path of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who scored from close range. This goal put Leeds United ahead in the seventh minute of the match.
Rodon continued to be involved in offensive plays, charging up the field shortly after the goal. The ball was then worked to James Justin inside the penalty area, whose shot necessitated a low save from Maarten Vandevoordt, the RB Leipzig goalkeeper. Approaching the half-hour mark, Longstaff provided a precise pass for Daniel James, who aimed for the near post but narrowly missed, dragging his shot wide.
Alex Cairns, the Leeds goalkeeper, was called into action, making a save to parry a long-range shot, with the defence clearing the rebound. Cairns also successfully dealt with a half-volley from Andrija Maksimovic. Calvert-Lewin, seeking his second goal of the afternoon and his fourth in two matches, met a floated delivery from Longstaff with a powerful header, forcing another important save from Vandevoordt.
The lead was nearly extended when summer signing Tarik Muharemović delivered a long pass for Justin. The full-back collected possession and cut a pass to Harry Wilson, whose first-time effort went just wide of the post. The first half concluded with Leeds United leading 1-0.
Second Half Changes and Decisive Goal
The second hour of play at Elland Road began with Daniel Farke introducing five changes to the Leeds side. Midfielders Ao Tanaka and Anton Stach entered the game, along with defenders Jaka Bijol and Jayden Lienou, and forward Lukas Nmecha. The pace of the game was initially slower, a consequence of the numerous personnel changes made by both teams. Leeds United maintained sustained periods of possession in the midfield during this phase.
Harry Wilson attempted to create attacking opportunities, reacting quickly to a loose ball at the edge of the Leipzig penalty area, but his left-footed shot was blocked. Substitute Brenden Aaronson then made a run behind the RB Leipzig defence, but from a tightening angle and under pressure, his low shot went wide of the far post.
Leeds continued to press for a second goal. Aaronson displayed a burst of pace down the right wing and crossed the ball towards Justin, but Vandevoordt intervened to gather the ball. Further substitutions were made, bringing in Italian international Willy Gnonto and Academy players Alfie Cresswell and Rhys Chadwick, as the manager refreshed the squad.
Chadwick immediately contributed, delivering a cross across the face of goal, which Mills, under pressure, was unable to direct on target. With approximately 20 minutes remaining in the match, a pass from Gnonto released Aaronson down the right. Aaronson squared the ball for Nmecha, but the centre-forward was unable to connect with it.
Despite the missed opportunity, Lukas Nmecha would not be denied later. Willy Gnonto again made an impressive run down the right, reaching the byline and cutting the ball back for Nmecha, who scored from close range, securing Leeds United’s second goal. As the clock wound down, both teams had chances, including a header from Cresswell that struck the crossbar, before referee Pawson concluded the second hour of play.
Leeds United is scheduled to return to pre-season action on Wednesday evening, facing Manchester United at Dublin’s Croke Park.
Source: bbc.co.uk
