Leeds United rounded off their pre-season tour of Australia with a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Optus Stadium in Perth. The Whites took the lead in the second half through a Rodrigo penalty, but Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled the scores a few minutes later following a mix up at the back.
It was another feisty encounter Down Under and head coach Jesse Marsch was happy with elements of his side’s performance. Here’s a look at the moments you may have missed during the contest.
Drameh optimism
Cody Drameh has picked up a hamstring injury during the club’s tour Down Under and as a result he was ruled out of the final game at the Optus Stadium against Crystal Palace. He has been training on his own and on Friday he could be seen going through his own warm up on the side of the field ahead of kick-off.
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Drameh wasn’t in the squad but he was put through his paces by a fitness coach and he certainly looked to be close to full fitness as he dashed up and down the touchline in Perth. Drameh would probably have had game time against Palace if not for the injury, but his absence from the squad meant Rasmus Kristensen played the full 90 minutes for the first time in a Leeds shirt.
Middlesbrough catch up
Former Australia international Rhys Williams had a media role at the Optus Stadium and he was busy working away on the touchline. However, before Leeds started their warm-up on the field, Williams could be seen chatting to a few of his former teammates on the sidelines.
Patrick Bamford and Adam Forshaw both spent time with Williams at Middlesbrough and the pair took the opportunity to catch up with the former midfielder in his home town of Perth. The trio spoke for about five minutes before heading down the tunnel to prepare for the clash.
Anger at half-time
Friday’s game was a full-blooded contest, just as last Sunday’s game at the Suncorp Stadium against Aston Villa was, with tackles flying in and the referee being forced into action on a number of occasions. He was quick to hand out a yellow card as he tried to maintain control of the contest and tempers flared as the half-time break approached.
Diego Llorente was one to make his frustrations known moments after the official blew his whistle to end the first 45 minutes of play. Anger was directed towards the referee in the second half, too, after his decision to award Leeds what was, in truth, a soft looking penalty.
Luka Milivojevic appeared to come into contact with the referee and he got booked for his protestations.
Roca frustration
After starting Leeds’ last two, Marc Roca was named on the bench for this one with Marsch opting to pair Tyler Adams and Adam Forshaw together in the middle of the park. However, the Spaniard was called into action midway through the first half as Adam Forshaw left the fray with a knee injury.
He remained on the field until the hour mark when he was replaced by Darko Gyabi, but it’s fair to say he didn’t want to come off. After a few words of encouragement and a cuddle from Marsch, the midfielder grabbed a chair and looked less than impressed as he sat down and watched the action from the sidelines.
Roca clearly wears his heart on his sleeve and his attitude to leaving the field highlighted the passion and desire he plays with.
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