‘Insane’, ‘Best 2 footed player we have’ – These Leeds fans blown away by one man despite loss
It was a game of two halves at Elland Road on Monday night but despite dominating the first 45 minutes, Leeds United came away with nothing.
Raul Jimenez got the only goal and it was a lucky one, coming off the head of Kalvin Phillips and wrong-footing the brilliant Illan Meslier in goal.
The night hadn’t got off to a great start when Liam Cooper was injured in the warm-up, but Leeds fans absolutely loved the display of his stand-in Pascal Struijk.
Struijk and Robin Koch played brilliantly in defence, keeping Wolves at bay for the whole of the first half.
They had more to do in the second period but 21-year-old Struijk looked really good with the ball at both feet and one fan said his distribution was “insane”.
Others said he looked like he’d played in the Premier League for “20 games” instead of just the two starts that he’s had.
He was unfortunate when he slipped to allow Jimenez the space to begin his run for the goal but you couldn’t blame Struijk for that.
The game stayed 1-0 and it was the Whites’ second defeat of the season but Struijk may well have another go at a clean sheet on Friday when Leeds travel to Aston Villa – if he’s not injured as well.
He was struggling towards the end of the game and was replaced by Pablo Hernandez. If he’s out as well as Liam Cooper and Diego Llorente, Leeds really might have problems.
In the meantime, here are the best reactions from Leeds fans to the youngster’s stand-in performance…
https://twitter.com/hectorswhites/status/1318279167612510208?s=21
https://twitter.com/dingleburtdev/status/1318278892755603458
In other Leeds United news, MOT View: £200m reveal from Phil Hay proves Radrizzani ready to go all-out for Leeds