Analyst's Leeds United feedback, Rutter's noise, chance missed and off-camera Schalke moments — YEP 28/7/24
By Graham Smyth
The YEP’s take on Leeds United’s 2-0 victory against Schalke
04 and some ‘off-camera moments’ from the behind-closed-doors friendly.
Leeds United can finally emerge from under their veil of
German secrecy as the end of their training camp beckons.
A 2-0 victory over Schalke 04 on Saturday heralded almost
the final action of the 10-day trip and Leeds will fly out of Paderborn on
their charter on Monday afternoon, back to England and Thorp Arch.
Daniel Farke was pleased with the performance in the win and
has seemed generally very happy with how the camp has gone, how the facilities
have served he and his squad and how the mood has been around the place.
As they spend their final night at the stunning
Hotel-Residence Klosterpforte and begin to eye Valencia and the competitive
challenges that lie ahead, here is the YEP take on the penultimate pre-season
friendly.
Good day
Mateo Joseph
He was at it again, lurking in and around exactly the right
place at the right time and finishing off a Jayden Bogle cross. Three goals in
two games is a terrific return, even if he could be flying back to England with
four or even five. The momentum is with him and he will be eyeing that Valencia
friendly hungrily and hoping that he can get the nod for Portsmouth.
Sam Byram
A timely reminder that the veteran relishes a physical
battle. He was dominant in the air and did everything, on both sides of the
ball, with his usual efficiency. If Bogle and Junior Firpo are to be the first
choice full-backs then Byram will be as good a back-up as any to be found in
the Championship. They still need another, of course, but the full-back area is
looking strong in terms of quality.
Jayden Bogle
Two games, two assists and similar ones at that. He very
nearly had two of the same sort of assists in the one game against Schalke. We
knew he was an attacking full-back, but the way he dominated his winger out of
possession was reassuring to see.
Balcony guests
Anyone lucky enough to be situated on the balcony, where
stadium staff kept a steady supply of cold drinks coming. The welcome and the
facilities, from a fifth-tier side, were incredible.
Bad day
Max Wober
This was a chance to put pressure on Struijk, who was guilty
of an error on Wednesday, and stake a claim to the left-sided centre-back
position and while the Austrian was not bad, he was unable to shine or
dominate. His chasing of a player that he failed to impact left a gap and
Schalke came close to exploiting it.
Schalke’s analyst
The Schalke analyst filling the YEP's off-camera moments
with his loud, English-spoken declarations of tactical advice to the bench via
a headset. And the German fella who asked Brenden Aaronson for some boots,
mistakenly believing that the American would have sufficient pairs with him on
tour to be able to give his away. He did not. But Aaronson was at least
apologetic.
Off-camera
The players inspecting the mottled pitch and debating
whether or not it was some grass disease. In the technical, expert opinion of
first team operations manager Matt Robertshaw it most likely was.
Members of Farke's staff reuniting with former colleagues
and pals in the Schalke set-up.
Chris Domogalla ensuring Leeds warmed up with the Bundesliga
2 balls because that was what the first half would be played with.
Harry Gray, Daniel James, Crysencio Summerville and Patrick
Bamford availing themselves of the fantastic balcony and cafe facilities on
offer at Kümpel und Hellmeister Arena with a perfect view of the pitch. Leeds
chiefs Adam Underwood and Gretar Steinsson were also present for the game.
Jayden Bogle, fresh from his go-karting victory on Friday,
expressing his frustration at the referee's decision to ping Ethan Ampadu for a
foul in midfield as the right-back attempted to burst forward.
Schalke's analyst on the balcony spotting early on Brenden
Aaronson's penchant for coming inside and relaying to coaching staff - in
English helpfully - that the American would be the overload player.
Farke expressing his frustration as Aaronson failed to get
hold of the ball after good hold-up play from Mateo Joseph, the attacker
responding with a thumbs up to the manager's instruction.
Illan Meslier and Ethan Ampadu encouraging Georginio Rutter
after he got hold of a difficult ball and got a shot away.
Junior Firpo screaming for a pass from Joe Rothwell that
never came as the ball went to the far side. Firpo then turning his ire on the
referee for a decision to award a free-kick against Rutter.
Ampadu telling Joseph to keep the press compact and not
force it. Meslier telling Bogle to play higher on the right. Rodon telling
Gnonto to wait, not press, and save his legs.
The Schalke analyst appealing for his side to be further up
the pitch and insisting that the structure was working with Leeds in
possession. That assertion sounded less and less convincing the longer the game
went on as Leeds hemmed their 'hosts' in and dealt so comfortably with the
Schalke press.
Firpo appearing on the balcony in his flip flops, or as the
Germans would call them his flip flops, after being substituted at the break.
Rodon telling Gruev to kick the ball away after the
Bulgarian midfielder conceded a free-kick in the middle of the pitch, screaming
his approval as Rothwell pressed Schalke backwards and then asking for a
****ing big header from Byram as Leeds began to enjoy themselves at 2-0 up.
Rutter letting out a little squeal after trying a fancy
flick to try and find Gnonto in the area and then grinning.
The bench delighted with Gelhardt's pressing as Leeds went
after Schalke out of possession, caused problems and then stopped them from
escaping from their own half.
Ilia Gruev catching up with an old pal in the opposition
side as team-mates Joel Piroe and Pascal Struijk tucked into the most
incredible-looking post-game tucker. It was a wrap or kebab or shawarma of some
kind, packed to the gills with delicious stuff.