Sam Allardyce made some headline-catching selection calls for the clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, but one of these was the undoing of Leeds United in the first half.
In Big Sam’s first game in Leeds colors, he selected Joel Robles in goal, Patrick Bamford as a sole striker and Adam Forshaw in midfield for the extremely tough trip to the Premier League champions.
However, the one selection call that backfired was that of Junior Firpo.
The 26-year-old has endured a torrid time at Elland Road since his arrival in 2021 but was thought to be reaching his best form over the past few months.
However, in the first half against Manchester City – in which Pep Guardiola’s side took a 2-0 lead at a canter – the full-backs glaring defensive weaknesses were brought to the fore as he struggled to deal with the pace and skill of Riyad Mahrez.
For Gundogan’s opening goal after 19 minutes, Firpo was all over the place defensively, with Mahrez dipping inside the 26-year-old all too easily, before finding the German, who neatly bent the ball around Robles in between the sticks.
The Spaniard was found wanting once again just eight minutes later, when the Manchester City winger was left unmarked on the right wing, being allowed to place the ball on a plate for Gundogan under limited pressure, who scored his second of the afternoon with alarming ease.
Time and time again, Firpo was caught out in transition and struggled with the fluid movement of Manchester City’s attacking quintet, with Mahrez subsequently being left to run riot.
He wasn’t helped by the lack of defensive cover from Jack Harrison, but Firpo still had to do better with both goals.
Big Sam will certainly be ruing his selection of Firpo at half-time and should consider ending his torturous day at the office with an early substitution.
Leeds has Pascal Struijk waiting in the wings, as well as the potential for a defensive reshuffle with Robin Koch’s entry, so Allardyce is by no means short on options.
One thing is for certain – Firpo is having a day to forget.
In other Leeds United news, there is conflict in the Whites’ dressing room with some upset with the senior pros.
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