Ajax 4 Leeds United 0 - Amster damage highlights work needed ahead of Manchester United opener - Verdict - YEP 5/8/21
Leeds United are back amongst the best, and have been for a year.
By Lee Sobot
Ahead of the club’s second season back in the Premier
League, United’s latest summer friendly came against one of the very best, the
best side in Holland and traditionally one of the best in Europe.
The Dutch champions have won four European Cups, two Cup
Winners’ Cups, a UEFA Cup and two UEFA Super Cups. One day, United’s dream is
to be back competing at that same level – against teams like Ajax but in proper
fixtures, not friendlies.
But nobody is kidding themselves that Leeds are anywhere
near that level yet, even after last season’s ninth-placed finish in the
Premier League, and that point was emphasised by a 4-0 defeat in Amsterdam as
part of two games against Ajax in eight hours.
The first part of an Amsterdam double header came as a
United XI containing a mixture of youth and first teamers lined up against the
talented Ajax under-21s.
Kalvin Phillips and captain Liam Cooper were given their
first minutes of the summer by Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa but the young
Dutch side proved too hot to handle en route to a 3-1 victory.
Then came the day’s main course and Leeds lined up without
Diego Llorente and summer recruit Junior Firpo who both missed out through
injury.
After just two minutes. Ajax were gifted an opening goal
after captain Luke Ayling failed to properly control a simple pass from Ilan
Meslier on the edge of his box and Davy Klaassen stormed in before firing past
Meslier.
Four minutes later, Klaassen almost found himself in again
but Meslier raced off his line to gather Danny Blind’s neat cross from the
left. Leeds tried to settle and Robin Koch’s drive from the edge of the box
forced a strong save from keeper Remko Pasveer.
Back came Ajax and Steven Berghuis flashed an effort just
wide. But the hosts doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Perr Schuurs
broke all too easily from defence and played a one-two with Dusan Tadic before
lifting the ball over Meslier.
Leeds threatened soon after but Raphinha’s rising drive from
the edge of the box was easily saved. A much better opportunity was squandered
nine minutes before the break when Rodrigo put a free header wide from a Stuart
Dallas corner.
But seven minutes later, a rampant Ajax side bagged their
third when Ryan Gravenberch let fly from 25 yards out with an outswinger that
flew past Meslier into the right hand corner of the net.
Even before half-time it was game over although Leeds then
improved after the break.
The Whites should have pulled a goal back just before the
hour but Patrick Bamford could only fire against the post when following up
after Pasveer had parried away a low drive by Dallas.
Dallas was proving United’s main threat as part of a half in
which Leeds lost Jamie Shackleton to a head injury with 11 minutes left.
There was still time for Ajax to add a fourth which came
after United lost possession and Danilo fired home from the edge of the box.
That proved the end of the punishment for Leeds who could
then look forward to returning home to England ahead of the club’s final
pre-season friendly on Saturday evening against Villarreal, defending Europa
League champions.
Seven days later, the Whites will finally begin their second
season back in the Premier League at arch rivals Manchester United.
Pre-season is not about results but match minutes and
gaining fitness after a summer break.
That said, Leeds know they will need to be better than this.
