Counter-attacks may have been a problem for Leeds United against Brisbane Roar, but Jesse Marsch like his side’s start and the relief of seeing his team leave Gold Coast injury free. The Whites beat the A-League side 2-1 in the opening fixture of their Australian tour on Thursday.
Daniel James and Joe Gelhardt scored the crucial goals for United, but Kristoffer Klaesson was denied a clean sheet as the natives pushed throughout the match, despite the gulf in quality on paper. In controlling long periods of the match, Leeds were always at risk of being countered and that was Brisbane’s most profitable route to goal.
Marsch acknowledged that was something he did not want to see in his system which does favour high pressing and a high line. Illan Meslier was rested on the night, while Liam Cooper and Leo Hjelde were nursing minor injuries, but nobody else was added to the medical list at Cbus Super Stadium.
