Leeds United could only manage a 3-3 draw against Portsmouth at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon in the club’s opening game of the new campaign, but Tony Dorigo was impressed.
A tumultuous affair saw Leeds take the lead after a blistering first 10 minutes, only to be trailing 2-1 at the break. The Whites equalised, before two goals in extra-time saw the game some how finish in a 3-3 draw.
Brenden Aaronson scored Leeds’ third after coming on as a sub and should really have had two, missing a guilt-edged chance to put Leeds 4-3 up. It ended in a draw, with any result possible in the last minutes.
There were plenty of positives, the utter dominance throughout the first half despite two goals conceded and the ability to create chances against John Mousinho’s men to begin with – as well as scoring three.
Dorigo says Ilia Gruev has improved one key area from last season
But of course, the negatives are that Leeds were unable to win and conceded three goals at home to a side they should have comfortably beaten. Plenty to unpack for Daniel Farke ahead of Wednesday night.
Leeds host Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup, a match that will see Luke Ayling go up against his old side for the first time – if he plays. Former Leeds defender Dorigo though, did highlight one positive.
During commentary on LUTV, Dorigo heaped praise on £4m signing Ilia Gruev for his corners and set-pieces. He claimed the Bulgaria international’s delivery was much improved from the 2023-24 campaign.
“What’s happened to our corner-kicks by the way? Superb. Gruev has put some great deliveries in. The delivery from Gruev has been much improved certainly from what we saw a lot of the time last season.”
Gruev can be Leeds’ new secret weapon this season
It is a season of change compared to last for Gruev. Following his £4m move from Werder Bremen a year ago, Gruev found himself on the bench for the first half of the season but this time around, he’s crucial.
Not only that, but Gruev is being asked to play in a more attacking role alongside captain Ethan Ampadu. With Glen Kamara gone, Leeds are looking to buy a new midfielder but for now, Gruev starts in midfield.
One claim he has to his starting role is his set-piece delivery and if he can continue to build on what was a very impressive array of corner and free-kick taking, Farke might be tempted to keep him in the no.6 role.
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