Ilia Gruev helped Bulgaria secure a crucial Nations League win over Northern Ireland on Sunday night with the Leeds United midfielder clocking up a second 90 minutes during the international break.
The 24-year-old midfielder has started all four Championship games for Leeds already this season and came on as a sub in the 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough in the Cup. Seven games already for the midfielder.
Having clocked up 90 minutes in three of Leeds’ four league games and 86 in the win over Hull, Gruev played every second of Bulgaria’s impressive international break as they won four Nations League points.
A 0-0 draw away at Belarus earlier last week was followed by a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland on Sunday night. A massive victory for Bulgaria and not just in terms of a first win of the Nations League campaign.
Leeds fans impressed as Gruev shines for Bulgaria again
It was Bulgaria’s first competitive win in two years, last picking up a victory in a competitive fixture against Gjanni Alioski’s North Macedonia. A game in which both Elland Road icon Alioski, and Gruev, featured.
Bulgaria had only won twice since that 1-0 victory on September 26, 2022. But wins against Cyprus and Tanzania were friendlies, making Sunday’s win over Northern Ireland a big moment for Bulgarian football.
Gruev was front and centre, starring in the middle of the park for Bulgaria as he clocked up a superb five clean sheets in a row for club and country. Leeds fans heaped praise on Gruev following the 1-0 victory.
Gruev’s stats as Leeds star controls Northern Ireland midfield
WhoScored say Gruev produced one key pass, was fouled on two occasions, made one interception, two clearances and completed 33 of his 40 passes including one accurate long ball for Bulgaria on Sunday.
His stats might not be particularly stand-out, but it is another sign of Gruev rarely doing anything wrong and providing a steadiness to a team. A consistency and a reliability that is crucial in a modern-day side.
Leeds will be relying on him to do that again on Saturday when the Whites play host to Scott Parker’s Burnley. A huge, early-season test against a side that are likely to fight with Leeds for the top two spots.
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