It might have been a mixture of first-team stars and youth fielded by Max Allegri on Saturday, but Leeds United can be proud of their performance against AC Milan following their 1-1 draw in Dublin.
In Leeds’ final pre-season friendly of the summer, Leeds took on Milan in front of 50,000 fans at The Aviva Stadium in Ireland and held Allegri’s men. Santiago Gimenez scored for Milan, Anton Stach equalised.
Daniel Farke named what is likely to be close to the side he starts with against Everton next Monday, including Ao Tanaka alongside Stach and Ethan Ampadu, and Joel Piroe up front over Lukas Nmecha.
But there was one player that stood out on Saturday. Lucas Perri made his first appearance for Leeds on Saturday, and the Brazilian raved about a fellow new signing after the match, as did manager Farke.
Lucas Perri during Leeds United's warm-up against AC Milan.
Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images
Lucas Perri left in awe of ‘incredible’ Leeds United newbie
Gabriel Gudmundsson and Stach also started alongside Perri, while Nmecha, Sean Longstaff and Jaka Bijol came off the bench to feature. Bijol may have normally started, but he is suspended to face Everton.
Gudmundsson was excellent on the left but if anyone stood out, it was Stach. The Germany international scored for Leeds with a gorgeous effort, and even Italian media praised Stach for his performance.
Speaking to Adam Pope on BBC Radio Leeds, goalkeeper Perri was full of praise for the £19.9m signing: “He’s an incredible player. He scored an incredible goal and I hope he does this during the season.”
Anton Stach in action for Leeds against AC Milan.
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Daniel Farke heaps praise on Anton Stach following Milan draw
Perri was not the only man to praise Stach following the full-time whistle, with Farke of the opinion that Stach showed Leeds fans why the club had been so keen to land the Germany player from Hoffenheim.
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“He was one of my key wishes. He proved today why we wanted to sign him. An outstanding performance today. He gave us defensive balance, many winnings of the ball, his physicality but also quality on the ball.
“We’ve spoken a lot about his size and his physicality, but even more so he’s a quality footballer, great on the ball, great passes, good finishes, fantastic goal. On a good path, fantastic pre-season,” Farke added.
“We can only judge him properly when the season starts. But he was one of the best players on the pitch today. I am picky when it comes to signings but he is a fantastic human being, an important player.”
Daniel Farke waves to Leeds fans against Milan.
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There is no doubt that Stach starts in the middle of the park when Leeds take on Everton, likely getting the nod in front of Ampadu. It will be interesting to see if Farke chooses either Ao Tanaka or Longstaff.
Elsewhere, Dan James and Perri returned from injury, as did Jack Harrison as a sub. But Jayden Bogle remains sidelined and is out for a “little while”. Sebastiaan Bornauw is fighting to be fit for Everton.