Friendly

Leeds United 2 (Koch 12’, Gelhardt 90’ pen)

AS Monaco 4 (Embolo 25’, 54’, Martins 47’, Jakobs 52’)

Leeds: Klaesson (GK), Ayling, Forshaw (Joseph 62’), Koch (Llorente 45’), Aaronson (Gyabi 80’), Roca, Struijk (Hjelde 80’), Kristensen (Firpo 67’), Gnonto, Gelhardt, Greenwood. Subs not used: Robles (GK), Van den Heuvel (GK), Drameh.

Monaco: Nobel (GK), Maripan, Camara (Magassa 81’), Jakobs (Oliveira Silva 81’), Matazo (Minamino 61’), Golovin (Lemarechal 61’), Sarr, Aguilar (Vanderson 61’), Embolo (Ben Yedder 70’), Seghir (Volland 70’), Martins (Diatta 61’). Subs not used: Didillon (GK), Badiashile, Boadu, De Souza Oliviera. 

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 20,978

Referee: Andy Madley

Booked: Jakobs (Monaco) 

Leeds United were beaten at home by AS Monaco on Wednesday evening, going down to a strong second half performance from the away side who in the end, ran out comfortable winners on the scoreline.  

Coming into the match, Jesse Marsch’s side had played two warm-up friendly games against Elche CF and Real Sociedad, winning both with a 2-1 scoreline against their La Liga opposition.  

In the final preparation game ahead of the Premier League restart at home to champions Manchester City after Christmas, the Whites now faced French Ligue 1 opposition under the lights of Elland Road. 

The first half saw Leeds on top for large parts, creating chances and causing problems for their visitors. The first to go close was Joe Gelhardt, who toe-poked an effort narrowly wide after good work from Sam Greenwood on the wing to create the chance. 

Following more good work from the home side and plenty of neat play in possession, the opening goal arrived, but this chance was from a set-piece. 

Marc Roca whipped in a corner to the near post with plenty of pace on it, which saw central defender Robin Koch leap highest to flick home a header beyond goalkeeper Alexander Nubel, into the back of the net. 

With Monaco’s first real attack of the match, they equalised. Again it was from a cross into the box, this time deep though, which allowed Aleksandr Golovin to head the ball down into the path of Breel Embolo to fire home.  

Just a minute later, the Whites were nearly back in front. Brendan Aaronson was his usual creative self and he found Rasmus Kristensen who had made a good run into the box, but the full back was denied when his shot was cleared off the line by Guillermo Maripan. 

Still within the first 45 in West Yorkshire, Gelhardt, Kristensen and then Greenwood would all pose danger to the Monaco goal - but they couldn’t find a way through, meaning the teams went in level at the break.  

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-1 AS Monaco 

The second half saw the away side start on the front foot and take the lead in the match, early on. Gelson Martins was well positioned and found space at the back post, giving him time to slot into the back of the net.

Two became three moments later, this time for a set-play. Elise Ben Seghir crossed into the middle and it was knocked down kindly, allowing Ismail Jakobs to smash home left-footed and increase the lead. 

Things would get worse as the away side continue to flood forward. Martins turned provider this time, playing a well timed ball across the box for Embolo, who struck home his second of the game. 

Looking to respond after conceding three quick goals in the second period, efforts came from Gelhardt and the recently introduced Mateo Joseph, whilst Luke Ayling also saw a shot deflected behind. 

Willy Gnonto went on a silky run which saw him beat a number of defenders when pressing forward before having his shot blocked, whilst Greenwood curled a free-kick narrowly over the bar as Leeds continued to search for goals. 

The constant forward pressure did pay off late in the match. Gnonto was the danger again and after he collected substitute Junior Firpo’s cross, the striker was felled in the box and a penalty was awarded.

Gelhardt stepped up and never looked in any doubt, firing his penalty into the top corner to reduce the deficit and get a goal his performance had merited. 

Despite not being able to get back level in the match, a number of different players had gained vital minutes on the pitch prior to the Premier League action restarting after Christmas in this friendly. 

FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-4 AS Monaco