Leeds United U21s 2-0 OGC Nice U21s highlights: McGurk and Allen get Whites off to winning start in PL International Cup
Michael Skubala’s squad have been drawn in the eight-team Group A alongside Nice, Sparta Praha, PSV Eindhoven, Hertha Berlin, Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers’ youngsters.
The competition was introduced in 2014 to provide players in Category One academies across England with the opportunity to play against other elite European footballers within the same age group in a competitive environment.
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Hide AdThis is the first year Leeds have entered the competition, and only the second edition since the coronavirus pandemic curtailed the tournament in 2019/20.
Twenty-four teams enter at the group stage, separated into three lots of eight. Teams finishing first or second in their respective groups automatically qualify for the quarter-final, while the two best third-placed sides also make up the last eight of the competition.
All fixtures are hosted in England, meaning Leeds are the home side for each of their four outings against the foreign opposition they will face during the group stage.
Leeds’ youngsters have been in good form this season, winning three of their opening five Premier League 2 fixtures, in the new 26-team, single-tiered PL2 division.
Build-up, team news, goal and score updates and live coverage here throughout the evening. Tonight’s fixture takes place at Elland Road and kicks off at 7pm.
Leeds United U21s 2-0 OGC Nice U21s LIVE
No goal
55’ GO...Offside. McGurk played through by Gyabi right down the middle but his run is flagged. Just offside. Shame, as it was a good pass and a cool finish.
Leeds on top, but not making it count
53’ Allen whips a dangerous ball across the face of goal but there’s no white shirt to get on the end of it. Leeds dominating possession. Game has a similar pattern to the latter part of the first half. McGurk shoots from 25 yards but that’s not troubling the goalkeeper as it flashes wide.
An audible ‘oooh’ from the stands
47’ After some patient build-up, Mullen receives the ball from Bate 30 yards from goal and hits one. Clears the crossbar, but not by much.
HT: Leeds United 0-0 OGC Nice
Leeds with the better of the half, but few clear-cut opportunities for either side.
Louis Baté
42’ Bate and McGurk combine once more to get a shot off, the former finding his teammate and flatmate on the opposite side of a congested penalty area. McGurk’s shot is blocked which takes the sting out of it.
Nearly an OG
41’ Lewis Bate cuts in from the right and dinks one into the area. Doumbouya gets a head on it and concedes a corner in the process, but almost diverts the ball into his own net.