Leeds United make a poor start to the 2024/25 competitive season. After a resounding 3-0 defeat in the League Cup against league rivals Middlesbrough, the pressure on manager Daniel Farke is likely to increase
The anticipation among Leeds United fans for the new season was great. The arrival of Red Bull also fueled hopes of the club narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League last season. However, there is not much left of the euphoria since Wednesday evening.
In the Championship opener, Leeds had secured an ultimately fortunate 3-3 draw at home against Portsmouth FC. In the first round of the League Cup, the Whites then crashed to defeat against league rivals Middlesbrough – also in front of a home crowd.
The home side, who started with ex-Gladbach man Wöber, ex-Leipzig man Ampadu and ex-Union man Aaronson, did not develop any penetration in front of goal.
Boro also took their time to score before Dijksteel, of all people, broke the spell in the 50th minute. The 27-year-old right-back produced a remarkable solo run – with Leeds’ defending questionable – which he crowned with a shot into the bottom left-hand corner (50′). Dijksteel has played for Middlesbrough since 2019, but Wednesday night’s goal was his first ever for the current Championship ninth-placed side
Burgzorg’s debut goal
It took much less time for former Mainz player Burgzorg, who only signed in July, to make it 2-0 ten minutes after taking the lead. The Dutchman took advantage of the disarray in the home side’s backline to fire a precise shot into the bottom left-hand corner (60′).
Farke was completely exhausted and actually substituted five players at once – including ex-Hoffenheim man Rutter and ex-Bremer Gruev. However, Boro were unimpressed and scored the 3:0 final score in the person of the strong Coburn (67′).
Leeds must now be careful not to make a complete false start. Especially in view of the difficult away games at West Bromwich Albion and the surprising Championship leaders Sheffield Wednesday that now await. Boro, meanwhile, will be aiming for their third win in their third competitive game of the new season at Derby County on Saturday (1.30pm).
