71 touches, 1 key pass, 4 tackles; 25-year-old Leeds player did his best to win Marsch over today

Sat 5 March 2022 18:15, UK

Leeds United fell to a 1-0 defeat at Leicester in Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge of the Whites.

The Elland Road outfit put in a spirited performance and were dangerous and solid for the most part.

Indeed, Leeds dominated for large parts of the game, though Kasper Schmeichel was in inspired form.

In the end, one lapse of concentration cost the Whites dear.

Leicester got the winner in the second half with their one moment of attacking quality.

Harvey Barnes exchanged passes with Kelechi Iheanacho before coolly slotting across Illan Meslier with a first-time finish.

There were certainly plenty of encouraging signs for Marsch, and one of these came in the form of Junior Firpo’s display.

The 25-year-old really struggled against Tottenham last week, but was much improved against the Foxes.

Firpo grew into the game, supported Jack Harrison well, applied pressure to Leicester’s attackers and got himself into dangerous areas.

The former Spain Under-21 international should’ve got a goal in the 41st minute, but Caglar Soyuncu made a key block.

Firpo then carved out arguably Leeds’ best chance of the game with a 59th-minute low cross for Raphinha.

Despite being at point-blank range, the Brazilian failed to score, Schmeichel spreading himself wide to thwart the Leeds man.

Firpo’s stats from the game (Whoscored) make for decent reading.

He took 71 touches of the ball, made 40 passes including one key pass, and had one shot.

Firpo also won two aerial duels and made four tackles, three interceptions and three clearances.

While Leeds left the Midlands without a point, Firpo did his best to try and win Marsch over in his first game in charge.

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