Leeds United Chat • Heidi's blog Leeds United v Real Sociedad friendly game 16th December 2022

With the World Cup coming to a close, Leeds organised three friendly games to start getting the lads ready for our first league game on 28th December against Manchester City. I really wasn’t looking forward to going out in the cold tonight so dragged my heels a bit, but I knew once I got going, I’d be fine. We’d had some worries today with my grandson but after a few hours at the hospital, he’s turned a corner thank goodness. Earlier today in Halifax town centre there were no words needed when I walked past some workmen, as two gave me the Leeds salute which was immediately reciprocated as my arm is on automatic pilot where that is concerned.
Team: Robles, Ayling, Cooper, Rodrigo, Klich, Gnonto, Kristensen, Roca, Struijk, Forshaw, Aaronson.
Subs: Klaesson for Robles (45), Greenwood for Forshaw (45), Gelhardt for Aaronson (45), Hjelde for Cooper (45), Drameh for Kristensen (45), Gyabi for Roca (64), Joseph for Rodrigo (64), Perkins for Gnonto (77).
Leeds won the game 2-1 after going a goal down with goals from Struijk (16), Rodrigo (58).
Attendance: 22,826.
Referee: Michael Salisbury.
Booked: Roca, Hjelde.
Having already played one game against Elche in Spain, this was the second one against Spanish opposition. When Real Sociedad scored from a header after 10 minutes after winning a free kick, it was normal service resumes. This time though, Leeds were level six minutes later after Roca sent a through pass to Struijk who hit a long range shot that went straight into the net. A great goal. After that it was a case of going through the motions although we were lucky when one of their players mishit the ball in the penalty area, when in a good position. Half time saw both teams’ level as we headed downstairs.
The start of the second half saw Leeds make five substitutions with two for Real Sociedad. Leeds took the lead after some good work by Gnonto and Gelhardt which saw Rodrigo score to put Leeds into the lead for the first time. As the game was more about improving fitness levels, it wasn’t a surprise there weren’t many clear-cut chances although Real Sociedad did have plenty of possession. With Gnonto and Klich getting knocks during the game, I’m hoping there won’t be any impact from these as our injury list has already got plenty of players on it. As Leeds were attacking towards the Kop with approximately eight minutes left, there was a commotion in front of the East Stand. There was a lad invading the pitch being rugby tackled by some stewards. As he was being led round the ground past the South Stand, he was bouncing around and looked very happy, He might not look that way once he receives a ban!

Leeds saw the game out to get the win by which time my feet were like blocks of ice. When we got knocked out of the Carabao Cup, many fans were saying we didn’t need the extra games due to our small squad. Ironically, we will have played three extra games over the Christmas period now not just one if we’d gone through to the next round!
With our last game next Wednesday against Monaco, I do hope the weather turns milder as predicted. See you then, LUFC - Marching on Together with Follow Me and Leeds United.

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