Pascal Struijk shares what he spotted in Sunderland’s pitch after Illan Meslier error for Leeds.
Leeds United captain Pascal Struijk has attempted to provide an explanation for Illan Meslier’s stoppage time mistake at Sunderland.
Meslier somehow allowed the ball to bounce past his body and into the net during the seventh minute of stoppage time to help Sunderland earn an unlikely 2-2 draw.
Leeds had produced an almost perfect defensive display after Junior Firpo put them in front not long after half-time, with Joe Rodon and Struijk absolutely colossal at the back.
With two away trips in such close proximity, Leeds were clearly happy to sit in and defend what they had after going 2-1 ahead, which is what they did.
Unfortunately, Meslier made a once-in-a-career mistake at the worst possible time for Leeds, with Firpo unable to hide his anger at the full-time whistle.
Struijk shares what he noticed about Sunderland pitch
Almost immediately after the ball dribbled into the net, Meslier looked and pointed straight at the pitch as if it had taken an unusual bounce.
Of course, blaming something else is a natural reaction for most people but he will know as well as anyone else it was a simple gather he should’ve made.
Speaking on LUTV after full-time, Struijk – who is Meslier’s closest friend at the club – was asked about how he was feeling in the dressing room.
On top of sharing his obvious feeling of disappointment, Struijk revealed he went over and checked the pitch following Meslier’s mistake, and shared that he noticed a ‘massive dent’ where the ball bounced.
He said: “Of course he is disappointed, he knows that these things happen in football unfortunately. I’ve looked at the pitch there, there is a massive dent there and I have a better chance of winning the lottery than it goes in a hole and then bounces to his right but we all know what a great keeper Illan is.
“He will save us, for sure, a couple of games in he will make outstanding saves.] Of course it’s a reason now to be a little bit disappointed but throughout the season he will make plenty of saves.”
