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You’d think a coach has no reason to defend a substitute who scored a 95th-minute equalizer in a post-match presser. But Brenden Aaronson needed to hear that last Saturday because of incidents before and after his sublime strike that avoided Leeds United’s first home defeat to Portsmouth in 20 years.
Elland Road crowd holds a grudge
A week before the Championship’s opening round, Leeds United played Valencia at home in a curtain-raiser. Two first-half goals put the Yorkshire club on their way to a morale-boosting victory against a top-half LaLiga side.
Thus, the mood at Elland Road seemed to wash away last season’s depressing finale. There was a slight dent to the atmosphere when Daniel Farke authorized four substitutions 25 minutes from time, though. Maximilian Wober and Aaronson were among those who stepped up to the famed pitch for the first time in over a year.
It wasn’t the entire crowd that welcomed them back with boos, but the fanbase remembered too well how they forced their moves out of the club in the wake of relegation. Borussia Monchengladbach and Union Berlin’s lower half of the Bundesliga standings finish ruled out permanent transfers, respectively.
While the Austrian all-rounder was an unused sub, Aaronson received similar treatment in his Championship debut. To make matters worse, he replaced a fan favorite, Wilfried Gnonto, with Leeds struggling to get the better of a newly-promoted side.
The Italian youngster had a stellar season following a controversial first few weeks. But he started this term on the right foot. The winger had the most shots in the opening matchday of Championship with 6, including his goal that tied the game at 2-2 right after the break.
We had to wait until injury time for the next goal and the game’s dramatic spell, however. Callum Lang, who only had a solitary strike for Wigan last season, scored his second of the opening day to put Pompey in front from the penalty spot.
Unsung…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usas-brenden-aaronson-off-to-rollercoaster-restart-with-leeds/
Author : Eskender Tamrat
Publish date : 2024-08-12 19:54:30
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