Leeds United centre back Despite feeling under the weather, Junior Firpo played the full 90 minutes at the Riverside Stadium on Monday night as Leeds defeated Middlesbrough 4-3.
During a five-goal first half, he scored his first goal of the game when he whipped an inviting cross into the penalty box for centre striker Patrick Bamford, who flicked the ball past a reluctant Seny Dieng to put Leeds ahead.
Firpo’s second assist showed off the progressive aspect of his offensive style. He surged forward with Leeds after winning possession of the ball in the centre of the pitch and threaded Championship Player of the Season Crysencio Summerville in down the left.
At full time, the 27-year-old disclosed that he had a fever over the weekend and that he wasn’t the only player on the team who wasn’t feeling fully recovered.”I’ve been with a fever [for] three days, I’ve been ill today, a few lads were feeling the same, we have a little bit illness in the squad,” Firpo said.
“Everyone was prepared, which demonstrates how vital it is to be prepared. Everyone was experiencing life to the fullest, including myself and the ailing Jaidon Anthony.”As I mentioned, I was on the verge of passing out during the second half, along with a few other fellas.
It was difficult.”Anthony was added as a second-half substitution to rejuvenate some fatigued legs in the Leeds assault, which had played a major role in the outcome. This season, the 24-year-old has struggled with personal tragedy following the death of his mother, but he was there for support in the moments following and has made 29 appearances in the Championship while serving as Daniel Farke’s regular replacement.
In their penultimate match of the season, Leeds will take the pitch once more on Friday night when they travel to Queens Park Rangers. Firpo is realistic about the kind of team Leeds will face at Loftus Road because the R’s are still mathematically vulnerable to being demoted to League One.
“I believe that we need to exert a little more control over the games because the final two will, more or less, be really difficult. We have teams that play for real, like QPR, who may not play for nothing and who show up with confidence because they are the team that is fighting for their lives to demonstrate our superiority as a team.”
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