Passing scared
If the most encouraging aspect of Leeds United’s opening 45-minute shutout was the tenacity and frequency of ball-winning challenges, the most frustrating was the immediate return of the football to Manchester City. Time and time again, Leeds would lead the champions down alleyways, trap them, force errors or force the ball from them and then lump it to away defenders.
A fraction more composure and this could have been a very different affair for the Whites. Had they realised how much time and space they had, they would have surely created more of a threat going forward.
Rodrigo’s 24 touches from 71 minutes said it all. Leeds couldn’t even string enough passes together to get up the field and use their forwards.
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Jesse Marsch would admit he could see the nervousness in some of the possession his team had. They lacked the clarity and calmness they needed when they did finally take the ball back from City.
It was a real shame because of how well Leeds were doing, until the 47th-minute goal, at limiting the chances City created from the immense possession and territory they were commanding. Erling Haaland’s chances aside, City were struggling to break Leeds down.
Once Leeds had ridden out the early storm, they settled into the match and with every turnover in possession there came a wave of optimism, anticipation and hope before crushing frustration as Manuel Akanji took in loose ball after loose ball.
Hard to take much from
Ultimately, for all of the pros and cons people look to find in matches like these, there is a clear mismatch in the salaries, transfer fees and quality on paper between the teams. It is very hard to too positively or too harshly judge anything Leeds did against City.
There are so few other teams in the Premier League with the firepower, status and track record of Guardiola’s side. Just because City pulled Leeds apart in a certain way, exposed a weakness or simply scared them into giving the ball away, does not mean any or many other teams will do the same thing.
Losing 3-1 at home to City is not the same thing as losing 3-1 at home to a Nottingham Forest or a Southampton. Yes, it’s hugely disappointing to lose a home match, with so little possession and such limited evidence of a coherent game plan, but this is the champions we are talking about.
There are levels to this game and losing at home to Haaland’s mob is not going to be what decides United’s fate. It’s matches like next week when West Ham United visit or the week after when they head to Villa Park.
If the same problems befall the Whites in those matches, then yes, Marsch and the team can expect a volley of concern to head their way. After four victories all season, and two of those clinched with last-minute winners, there is every right for fans to remain on edge.
Haaland and Phillips make their presence felt
This had been billed as a homecoming for two of the finest footballers the city of Leeds has produced. Neither Haaland nor Kalvin Phillips were out of the spotlight for long.
The Norwegian striker had two golden opportunities to score in the first half, but was spurned by Illan Meslier. Chances would come again and his goals were well taken, but it was the muted celebrations which stood out.
There was no crazed running down the byline to celebrate with the visiting fans. This was clearly a special night for Haaland and he had no interest in milking it or disrespecting his fellow Leodensians.
Phillips didn’t score, or even get on the pitch, but it was a special moment as he went out to warm up with generous applause from those who had adored him seven months earlier. The tongue-in-cheek chants about Guardiola’s weight comments were taken in the humour intended by Phillips, whose smiles showed how much he enjoyed his homecoming.
The Drameh drama takes another twist
Last week, Marsch gave the clearest sign yet Cody Drameh may need to be imminently accommodated in the Leeds team on a semi-regular basis, let alone at a loan outfit. And yet the 21-year-old was left out of the squad entirely last night.
Nobody is saying Marsch has an easy solution with three right-backs justifiably competing for minutes in one slot, but if his Drameh comments were serious he has to at least get him on the bench. If the former Fulham man fails to play a part in any of the coming league games, it’s easy to see why he may end up pushing for another move away.
Even sanctioning a loan exit for Drameh is not without its difficulties. With a contract expiring in 18 months and little prospect of a new deal being agreed right now, Leeds would risk losing the full-back for little or nothing in 2023 or 2024.
A 48-hour disadvantage
The trip to Newcastle United is only two days away and the penny will be dropping on how much less time Leeds have to prepare than their hosts. The Magpies were blitzing Leicester City more than 48 hours before City rolled into Elland Road last night.
That’s going to count for something and, as Marsch said last night, regeneration and recovery is now the key. Crysencio Summerville and Jack Harrison were purposefully held back last night in order to give them as much time as possible to get ready for Newcastle.
Eddie Howe’s side are on a roll. They are among the hottest teams in Europe right now and they are about to host their first league game at home since the World Cup in front of a raucous crowd.
This really has been a deadly double-header to return to competitive action with.
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