Leeds United’s star players are out on international duty this weekend across Europe, with Ilia Gruev looking to build on two Premier League starts early this season.
Leeds’ Premier League survival bid takes a back seat this weekend and the international break probably comes at the ideal time for Daniel Farke and the fanbase after a disappointing end to the transfer window.
The hope is that Leeds’ international contingent return to Thorp Arch unscathed, but good performances and momentum would of course be beneficial.
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Ilia Gruev’s Bulgaria lose 3-0 as Lamine Yamal stars for Spain – flashpoint between Leeds United, Barcelona stars
For Ilia Gruev, his attention turned to commencing a World Cup qualifying campaign with Bulgaria this week, having unfortunately been the face of Leeds’ unsuccessful deadline day after the club’s sole post on Monday was the midfielder’s heat map against Newcastle United.
His nation began the road to the 2026 World Cup with a huge test at home to Spain, also sharing a group with Turkey and Georgia. Forming part of Bulgaria’s midfield three, Gruev found himself having to deal with one of, if not the world’s best in Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal.
Unsurprisingly, Spain ran out comfortable 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella, and Mikel Merino in the first half.
(REUTERS/Spasiyana Sergieva)
Yamal couldn’t get himself on the scoresheet, but was bundled to the deck in the box by Leeds’ number 44 around the hour mark.
As the Barcelona star tumbled, Gruev appeared to leave a little knee in on Yamal, which promptly enraged his opposite number, sparking fury from the youngster’s fan pages that caught the footage leading to the pair’s scuffle:
Both players had to be separated after the incident, but Gruev avoided punishment as he attempted to quash the matter post-match, heaping praise on the teenager as he reacted to the result.
“They scored a very stupid first goal. We should have defended better. Unfortunately, the match ended very early, but this is one of the best teams in the world,” Gruev said to Sportal.bg.
“We did not react well after the goals. We must continue to fight. We have a very difficult and important match ahead of us against Georgia. I do not think it is a tragedy to lose 0:3 to Spain. We have better chances than against Spain.
“Today we saw the class of Yamal. The whole world has problems defending against them. There is nothing to worry about.”
No shame in losing to Lamine Yamal’s Spain for Ilia Gruev, more minutes under his belt
It’s hard to see how Ilia Gruev is going to be play often when everyone is fit at Leeds this season, but with two starts under his belt, he’ll be looking to build on a solid showing against a very good Newcastle side.
This result was far from ideal, given the manner of the goals they conceded against Spain, Gruev looking irate at two of them as teammates lost their markers.
If Bulgaria wish to qualify, they face a serious task of finishing above both Turkey and Georgia, but for Gruev, more consistent minutes is definitely ideal.
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