Ilia Gruev has given his verdict on Leeds United’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City at Elland Road.
Ilia Gruev has issued a message to Leeds United’s fans in the aftermath of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City at Elland Road with a declaration on what was deserved.
Leeds approached Saturday evening’s hosting of Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing City side having lost just two of their last 14 Premier League games and Daniel Farke’s men created several good chances to go in front.
None of them were taken though and Antoine Semenyo’s strike in first-half stoppage time ultimately proved the only goal of the game as City left with a 1-0 success.
City, who had squandered good chances themselves, then created more opportunities after the break but Leeds finished with a flourish yet without joy in a rare defeat under the Elland Road lights.
Gruev, though, felt his side deserved more than a defeat and issued a message of thanks to United’s supporters for still cheering their team amid chaotic scenes after the full-time whistle.
"Of course we all feel tired but we are more frustrated because I think we deserved more today than to lose,” said Gruev to LUTV.
“So aggressive, you can see that we all wanted this”
"I think we played a really good game, solid, so aggressive, you can see that we all wanted this really much and also the stadium - unbelievable.
"I think it was a good game from us but unfortunately no points. It shouldn't be.
"It was tough timing to concede the goal because it's like ten seconds to go and if you to the changing room at 0-0 it's another thing.
"But still I think when we came out, we wanted to make the game as long as possible that it's only one zero and maybe score early or to make sure that the game is really close and tight.
"I think we did it and in the last minutes of the game we pushed and we had our chances but no goals unfortunately."
Asked about United's fans still cheering for their side after the full-time whistle and whether that was still some of 'reward', Gruev said: "For sure, I think everybody felt that we are one unit with the fans and we really wanted to win this game, not only to draw, to win this game and the fans pushed us.
"We went all in on the pitch and we can say only thank you that they still until the end, also after a loss, they stayed and supported us and pushed because I think they also value what we are doing this season."
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