Pre-Season

Leeds United 1 (Ayling 2) Borussia Mönchengladbach 1 (Herrmann 47)

Leeds United’s pre-season tour in Austria continued with a 1-1 draw against Bundesliga outfit Borussia Mönchengladbach in Schwaz. 

After fielding a team in either half, throughout pre-season so far, head coach Thomas Christiansen decided to give his players more game time in Austria, with the majority playing over an hour.

Leeds got off to a fine start inside two minutes, Luke Ayling played a clever one-two with Kemar Roofe, broke into the box and found the bottom left corner with a neat finish, in off the post.

The Whites could have extended that lead less than five minutes later, Pablo Hernandez whipped in a delightful cross, but Roofe could only head over the crossbar.

Ezgjan Alioski was a threat for the Whites throughout the afternoon, he put a good ball into the box and Chris Wood made contact on the volley, but couldn’t direct the chance on target.

Leeds then won a free-kick in a dangerous area on the left flank, Hernandez delivered and found Pontus Jansson with a free header, unmarked at the back post, but he could only head wide.

Roofe again went close to doubling the lead for Leeds, Wood did well to pick him out with a low cross, but his effort deflected just inches wide.

Another opportunity arose for Leeds in the 31^st minute from a free-kick.  Kalvin Phillips struck at goal and he was only denied by the crossbar and from the rebound neither Wood or Hernandez could finish the chance.

Just before the break Jansson had another good chance from a set-piece, this time from a corner, but he couldn’t find the target with his header.

Half Time: Leeds United 1-0 Borussia Mönchengladbach

Leeds made two changes at the break, with new loan signing Matthew Pennington coming on to make his United debut.

Borussia Mönchengladbach eqaulised with their first shot on target, two minutes into the second half.  Alioski felled Patrick Herrmann 25 yards from goal and from the resulting free-kick, Herrmann found the top left corner.

Leeds should have regained the lead just before the hour mark, Alioski showed brilliant determination to win the ball on the byline, he picked out Hernandez who forced a good save and from the re-bound Roofe hit the crossbar and Wood was denied by another decent stop.

Vurnon Anita then put in a good cross finding Wood, just a minute later, but at full stretch, was unable to find the target.

Julio Villalba went close for United’s opposition, he fired just wide of the post from long range.

Substitute Caleb Ekuban did well to cushion a header down Ronaldo Vieira, he teed the ball up for Anita to strike from the edge of the box, but he couldn’t prevent his effort from going over the crossbar.

Vieira then produced a fine interception before playing Hadi Sacko into the box, however the Frenchman could only fire wide, as Leeds had to settle for a draw, despite creating a large number of chances.

Full Time: Leeds United 1-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach

Leeds: Wiedwald, Ayling (Gomes 76), Jansson (Pennington 45), Cooper (Shaughnessy 76), Berardi (Anita 45), O’Kane (Bridcutt 63), Phillips (Vieira 63), Alioski (Saiz 63), Roofe (Dallas 63), Hernandez (Sacko 63), Wood (Ekuban 63).  Subs not used: Green, Peacock-Farrell, Doukara, Antonsson.

Venue: Silberstadt Arena