Saturday afternoon’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United taught Leeds United fans many things about what to expect next season, and for Sebastiaan Bornauw, it was a learning curve too.
The two sides played out a competitive, yet goalless clash, in front of 45,000 fans at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm. Sweden’s home of football, built in 2012, can seat 50,000, meaning it was pretty much full.
Incredible for a pre-season friendly played between two English sides in a foreign country. While it was mostly Man United fans, Leeds took plenty, and there were many Leeds-supporting Swedes, too.
Jayden Bogle had the best chance of the match and Ruben Amorim was impressed with Leeds following full-time. Leeds fans got to see all five new signings, including Sean Longstaff after his £15m arrival.
Sebastiaan Bornauw stunned by turnout of the supporters
Another new signing, Bornauw, came off the bench at half-time to replace fellow recruit Jaka Bijol in the middle of the Leeds defence. The Belgium international acquitted himself well against Rasmus Hojlund.
Speaking to LUTV after the game, the £5m signing explained how such a massive turnout for a friendly was something he had never experienced throughout his career, clearly delighted to have joined Leeds.
“Yeah, really good [to play in front of Leeds fans]. The atmosphere was really good. For a friendly, I’ve never experienced something like this. Really happy, good atmosphere and really nice first game.”
What next for Leeds during their pre-season campaign?
The Leeds squad is now set to fly off to Germany for a training camp, in which Daniel Farke’s men are expected to play against some German opposition. However, fans will not be allowed to attend the game.
Then, Leeds return to Elland Road for a clash against Spanish side Villarreal before jumping over to the Aviva Stadium in Ireland to take on Milan. That all comes before August 18’s opener against Everton.
Off the pitch, Leeds are closing in on a sixth signing in the form of £17m star Anton Stach. The deal has been confirmed by Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker, with only fine details to be sorted.
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