Credit: Imago
Sun 3 August 2025 20:47, UK
Leeds United continued preparations for their Premier League return with a draw against Villarreal on Saturday.
The Whites went behind after Etta Eyong tapped in from close range, but Joel Piroe found the equaliser to continue his brilliant pre-season form.
Daniel Farke’s side have enjoyed a productive pre-season, drawing against Manchester United in Stockholm and beating German sides SC Verl and SC Paderborn.
Leeds will travel to Dublin on Saturday (9 August) for a game against AC Milan, in what will be their final test before the Premier League’s opening weekend.
Leeds have enjoyed a positive pre-season (Credit: Imago)Farke makes feelings known during Villarreal clash
Saturday’s draw with Villarreal allowed Elland Road to welcome several new signings.
Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sean Longstaff, Anton Stach and Lukas Nmecha were all picked from the start by Farke, with Jaka Bijol featuring among the substitutes.
Fans would have also hoped to see new goalkeeper Lucas Perri in action, but the Brazilian was ruled out through injury, along with new defender Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Villarreal’s opener did prompt some further discourse surrounding the future of Illan Meslier, who is expected to drop to the bench next season.
The Frenchman looked to have allowed Eyong to head into an empty net, but on closer inspection, the 25-year-old had made an impressive save from the initial effort.
Piroe’s leveller was typical of the striker, capitalising on a bouncing ball inside the box to finish, after good work from Brenden Aaronson on the right wing.
The American enjoyed a positive afternoon at Elland Road, but did get an earful from Farke, according to Graham Smyth (3 August).
The German remonstrated angrily with Aaronson once for taking the ball down instead of passing it, and again for failing to make the run Farke had wanted him to.
Attackers still a must for Leeds
Leeds are still looking to bring in a couple of new attackers before the transfer window shuts at the start of September.
Brazilian winger Igor Paixao had been a serious target, but the Feyenoord man ultimately opted for the Champions League football offered by Marseille.
The Whites have since been linked to Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa, but an arrival does not appear imminent.
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