Michael Skubala was left to rue missed chances as Leeds United U21s were knocked out of the Papa John’s Trophy at Gresty Road. The Whites drew 0-0 with Crewe Alexandra in their final group stage game before losing the resulting penalty shootout 2-1 and that was only enough to secure a finish of third in Group B.
Leeds were able to name a strong side as they targetted progression to Round Two with Mateusz Klich captaining the side, while Junior Firpo, Joe Gelhardt and Wilfried Gnonto were also involved. However, they couldn’t help United break down the League Two outfit, who seemed content to make things difficult for their guests by sitting in a low block for the entirety of the game.
The Whites had their chances, with Darko Gyabi and Sonny Perkins going close, but they couldn’t find a way through Crewe keeper Dave Richards and ultimately paid the price.
Read more: Leeds United U21s player ratings as Whites exit cup after penalty shootout loss at Crewe
“We did enough to go through,” Skubala explained after the game. “We dominated the game, we just couldn’t unlock their low block. It was one of those days where you don’t want to have one of those days.
“It’s not very often you come the away ground and they set up as the away team. They just sat in, they got back quick and they made it awkward.
“We just didn’t have that little bit of guile in the final third just to really open them up. We created chances, we opened them up but we couldn’t get on the end of things. We had a lot of ball but not good enough in the final third tonight.
“Positives, Klichy got through 90 minutes and I thought he was all over the pitch, he did really well. Firpo got through 90 minutes again and did well. Leo has come back from a long-term injury. I thought he played well and dominated as a centre-half. Some positives to take but work to do in the final third.”
Despite being unable to progress, the game was decided by a penalty shootout, but Klich was the only man to find the back of the net for the Whites. Firpo, Mateo Joseph, Perkins and Gyabi all either saw efforts saved or fired wide and that just about summed up Leeds’ night.
“It wasn’t the greatest shootout in the world,” Skubala laughed. “It’s funny, when one person misses the pressure comes, but for our younger players to have shootouts, again, you have to deal with it, learn from it and get better at it.”
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