Leeds United fans were pleased to see their ‘second string’ come away with a victory against Girona yesterday as the Whites stepped up their preparations for the new season.
With the 2019/20 Championship campaign just one week away, Marcelo Bielsa's side rounded off their pre-season friendlies with a win over the Segunda Division side, who were relegated from La Liga last season.
It was an experimental United side that took to the field in Manchester, with most of the first-team squad in Italy with Bielsa to take on Cagliari.
Still, the likes of Jack Harrison, Barry Douglas and Ezgjan Alioski were all in action as United came out 3-2 winners.
Given how last season ended, Leeds supporters will no doubt have been pleased to notice that Derby County had just come off the back of a defeat to the very same opposition.
Phillip Cocu’s team were beaten 2-0 by Girona on Thursday at Pride Park, allowing Whites fans to have the first laugh of the season, before it has even begun.
It has to be said, however, like Leeds, Girona were fielding a much-weakened side than the one that turned out in Derbyshire.
Girona made seven changes to the two teams, with only four players surviving. A lot of those that came in were on the bench against Derby, though.
Pedro Alcala, Maxi Villa, Kevin Soni and Jofre Cherta were the only players to start both matches.
| Clarke Oduor, Jack Harrison and Gjanni Alioski found themselves on the scoresheet last night, as an #LUFC XI secured a 3-2 win over Girona
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 28, 2019
So, the playing field was fairly level, in truth, with neither side going full guns blazing in terms of their personnel selection.
Against Derby, both teams were near full strength, with the likes of Curtis Davies and new signings Keiran Dowell and Graeme Shinnie all starting for the Rams.
There was a sprinkle of youth from Cocu too, with Max Bird and Morgan Whittaker given a chance to impress the new manager.
In reality, there’s very little either side can take from the results heading into the new season, other than the knowledge their players collected another 90 minutes under the belts.
Whilst wins breed confidence, Leeds’ starting XI at Bristol City is likely to look very different from the side that saw off Girona.
Likewise, Derby made several changes and although their team was more senior than the Whites’, the intensity of a pre-season match will never rival the competitiveness of a Championship clash.
Girona XI against Leeds United: Suárez, Alcalá, Pedro Porro, Marc Gual, Jairo, Soni, Paik, Maxi Villa, Cherta, Resta, Pachón.
Girona XI against Derby County: Carlos, Alcala, Granell (C), Villa, Lopez, Lozano, Muniesa, Boselli, Andzouana, Soni, Cherta
