Leeds United: game of two halves

The international break often gives teams a breather, allowing them to gather their breath and put efforts into the training pitch. It definitely had an effect on Leeds United; it left them gasping a bit.

Act 1 – opening 45 minutes – Shakespearean tragedy or comedy of errors?

The first 45 was all about Brentford to be fair as they showed just what a dangerous passing team they could be. Neat inter-play, aided by time on the ball granted by Leeds, allowed the visitors to Elland Road to dictate the game. With all the Brentford players looking comfortable on the ball, Leeds were forced into chasing the game more as the half wore on.

Driven on by an impressive Alan Judge, Brentford looked to break quickly and their one-touch passing was often a rapier that opened Leeds up all too easily. Leeds did look comfortable at the back and, as the half wore on, they did begun to creak under some pressure, even if it wasn’t constant or sustained. Marco Djuricin was looking dangerous, turning off the shoulder of the Leeds defence and looking to run onto the ball. One such move saw him beat the defence and flick the ball past Silvestri and onto the post, Leeds saved by the woodwork and an offside flag.

Leeds vs Brentford

However, it was the combination of quick, crisp passing, good movement and that man Djuricin who put the west London visitors in front. The impressive Alan Judge, who seemed to be everywhere in the opening 30 minutes, fed the ball in and Djuricin slipped it past a sprawling Marco Silvestri to give the Bees the lead and one they richly deserved. Leeds were rattled, their fans were quietened and Brentford were definitely in the ascendancy. Leeds continued to offer too much space to Brentford, who were content to work the ball around the field and pull Leeds out of shape. The half time whistle couldn’t come quick enough for Leeds United, who were booed off the field by sections of their own fans.

Act 2 – made glorious summer by this son of York.

Head coach Uwe Rösler brought off a strapped up Alex Mowatt and put on a bearded Mirco Antenucci, reverting to a traditional 4-4-2 formation rather than the 4-3-3 that started the game. In truth, the change in personnel and formation brought about a change in fortune for Leeds, who played with much more vigour and aplomb. After a much better start to the half for Leeds United, a great run by left winger Stuart Dallas played in substitute Mirco Antenucci, only for Brentford’s David Button to step in and claim the ball. Antenucci, with his flicks, turns and runs was providing an early spark for Leeds, who looked a much more threatening attacking force with him on the field.

Rösler made another change on 57 minutes, bringing on Luke Murphy to replace Tom Adeyemi as Leeds looked to create a more forward and progressive midfield. Still trailing 1-0, Leeds were at least coming into the game more, but they were still chasing the game. It was from a Sol Bamba excursion upfield that nearly led to Brentford doubling their goal tally. Caught out of position, Brentford’s lightning-quick passing opened Leeds up like a ripened tomato, yet again, with only a bad touch from the Brentford attacker taking the ball away from goal, allowing Lewis Cook to tidy up.

Around the hour mark, both teams threatened and hit the post. First the impressive Djuricin flicked one (62′) onto the post at the South Stand end, before Chris Wood (65′) did the same with a more frantic scramble at the Kop end. Leeds did seem to be coming into it more and more, with better passing really having an effect at driving Brentford backwards, with only brief forays into Leeds’ defensive third of the field. With the game entering the home stretch, with less than 15 minutes remaining, something special was needed.

That ‘special’ was Mirco Antenucci.

Antenucci celebrates
Mirco Antenucci receives a yellow card after celebrating his 72nd minute equaliser.

A ball into the feet of Chris Wood was deftly laid off for Antenucci who stepped into the area and struck a sweet left-footed shot past David Button’s despairing dive and into the left-hand side of the goal. This gave Leeds some attacking impetus and they began to drive at Brentford drawing a sequence of fouls from the west Londoners as the Bees began to fight a more rearguard action. More and more Leeds United poured forward looking for a killer second, that man Antenucci nearly giving the Whites all three points. A quick turn of pace took the Italian into the area, he shot well but Button saved quite comfortably. This proved to be the last meaningful action of the game as the four minutes of added time brought a deserved draw for Leeds United.

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