Leeds United U21s taught harsh European lesson in 2000/01 Champions League repeat
Scott Gardner's young Leeds United side fell to defeat in their final European game of the season.
Leeds United Under-21s’ Premier League International Cup campaign came to an end on Thursday evening after they lost 3-0 at home to RSC Anderlecht.
A youthful Whites side conceded in the 33rd, 46th and 61st minutes at the LNER Community Stadium in York during what was a difficult lesson against a strong Belgian outfit. In a youth-level repeat of the 2000/01 Champions League group stage meetings, Anderlecht avenged a pair of defeats with a convincing performance.
Head coach Scott Gardner was without several U21 regulars including Jayden Lienou, Sam Chambers, Rhys Chadwick - who just signed a new contract - and the out-on-loan Harry Gray. A number of Under-18 prospects were promoted for the continental clash, having featured in a 120-minute FA youth Cup defeat to Swansea City on Monday.
After early chances for either side, Anderlecht got a foothold in the game part-way through the first-half with goalkeeper Darryl Ombang and centre-back Reuben Lopata-White called on to make important blocks and saves. They could do nothing to stop Enzo Sternal opening the scoring on 33 minutes, however, and faced an uphill task.
Leeds remained on the back foot going into half-time and after the break, with Sternal grabbing his brace inside the second period’s opening minute. The attacking midfielder glanced a header beyond the diving Ombang.
Anderlecht substitute Terry Van De Ven then got his side’s third goal around the hour mark, bundling the ball in from close range following a counter-attack from the Belgian outfit. The defeat means Leeds have failed to qualify for the European tournament’s knockout stages, with six points from four games leaving them fifth in the eight-team Group D.
What’s up next for Leeds United U21s?
Gardner and his young squad don’t have long to reflect on the defeat, with Leeds U21s back in Premier League 2 action this weekend. The young Whites head to Liverpool on Sunday looking to bounce back from last week’s 1-0 defeat against Stoke City.
Chadwick could be among those returning to the squad for that trip to Merseyside, having signed a new deal running until the end of the 2026/27 season on Wednesday. Speaking to Leeds United’s official website, the 18-year-old said: “It feels amazing, obviously, to sign a new contract with my club.
“This is the club that I have loved my whole life and I have been at for so many years. I am so grateful. I am so grateful for all the coaches that have coached me throughout the whole of my career at Leeds. Hopefully, now I can carry on and keep progressing.
“I would say I have developed quite well here, I have become more of a man, more of a player that people will look up to as more experienced. I am really grateful for all the first-team opportunities and pre-season was a very good experience.
“I will just keep pushing to try and get into one of the first team squads, keep pushing for first team places.”