Leeds 2 v 1860 Munich 1
To put it mildly....THE REFEREE WAS A WANKER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Line-Up
Subs : Mills (for Bridges) after about 75 mins Sent off : Dacourt and Bakke
We started slowly and the 4-3-3 system meant we didn't get an early grip of the midfield. The game, however, was very competitive and both sides were very committed. Worryingly there was a distinct lack of pattern about our play and with no natural wide players in the side we relied too much on hitting and hoping into the middle. Neither side created a clear chance in the first half - the best of which was a header from a Munich corner which perhaps should have been closer considering no Leeds player attempted to challenge. A Munich player fired wide then Leeds had 3 chances to strike at goal in a big scramble. Bridges went AWOL. He was man-marked by a big hulking German who followed him round like a lost puppy. Bridgo didn't want to know - maybe this is a sign of the season to follow. Bakke and Dacourt tackled with menace and the contest with Hassler and Mykland was tough and very even. Leeds had plenty of possession but Munich were happy to sit back and see what Leeds had to offer. Not much. Smithy, as usual, was all hussle and bussle and his endeavour paid off when he responded quickly to Viduka's flick-on to nod bravely past an advancing keeper. Leeds barely deserved it. Minutes later the referee reacted to the crowd's shouts, following ex-QPR man Zelic's challenge on Harte, and the official promply produced the red card. Big Big mistake. The linesman who was 15 yards away was not flagging, and was not consulted. The ref didn't see a thing. Time to go.....roared the Kop, oblivious to the fact that it would soon go horribly wrong. Realising that he may have made a big dog turd of a clanger, the referee decided that he'd have to even things up. Bakke and Dacourt were unluckily booked. 2nd half we expected a fired up Leeds to tear into the 10 men. Remarkably it was the visitors who looked the better side for the first 20 minutes. They passed well and controlled possession better than Leeds but still created little in the way of chances. Leeds started to get a grip and Kelly blasted over from 18 yards after a superb Leeds move involving Viduka. Smith then forced his way into the box and was upended by a clumsy challenge. The myopic ref looked on the edge of the box for any stud marks that may have indicated where the offence took place and then pointed to the spot. Harte sent the keeper the wrong way. The crowd rejoiced. Surely that was that - there was no coming back now for the Gerrys. Leeds pressed for a 3rd and Dacourt glided through the Munich ranks unchallenged........ when the Frenchman met some resistance he jinked inside and expecting some contact, dived forward. Red card. Dacourt received a standing ovation but had been silly especially as the ref was itching to send somebody in a white shirt off. Mills came on for the invisible Bridges in the vain hope of shutting up shop. A spring appeared in Munich's step. With 5 minutes remaining Bakke was the 2nd Leeds player to receive his marching orders. This time the decision was outrageous. Bakke was accused of handling the ball and elbowing the defender in the face and letting off a handgrenade and abusing some kids by the ref. Leeds readjusted to 4-3-1 with Viduka the lone striker. With hindsight Molenaar should have come on for the knackered Australian and played 3-4-1 with Smith up front. Leeds withstood constant pressure with Hassler and Mykland patiently waiting for the inevitable opening to appear. With 4 minutes of injury time gone (i didn't see a board go up indicating how long extra was to be played) a hopefully cross was headed tantalising wide of Martyn from 18 yards and crept into the net. Moments later the ref blew for time. FUCK IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bakke and Dacourt suspended for the 2nd leg leaves Leeds with a mountain to climb. The 1500 Munich fans danced and sang long into the night. They knew. Players Ratings and Comments
Opposition Came for a draw. Lacked ambition but showed glimpses of pace down the right 2nd half that could worry us in Munich. Very tough and well organised and seemed to play better when down to 10 men. Luckily none of Hassler's free kicks proved very menacing. Mykland, a Norwegian gypsy annoyed our midfield by sticking pegs into them. Not much up front but looked a big side at corners. I'll expect more from them in the away leg. Officials Ref was fucking blind. Never consulted his linesman and booked anything that moved. Kept giving free-kicks against Leeds when we had the ball ?! Bizzare man. Should face the electric chair. There would a queue of 30-odd thousand Yorkshiremen ready to flick the switch on for him. Conclusions Unlucky. 2-0 up flattered us a bit but Munich never looked like scoring til the last 10 minutes when the referee had reduced the game to a farce. Dacourt, Radebe and Duberry were all very good and Viduka continued to show promise. Leeds will have to defend very well in Germany next week to go through but with the injuries and suspensions I fear its going to be the UEFA cup for us again this year. Fingers crossed. Lucky underpants on. See you all in the Olympic Stadium, Munich.
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