For half an hour Mateusz Klich was not Leeds United’s past, not a legend or a memory or a tribute t-shirt. He was one of the most important players on the pitch. Half an hour later, as a consequence of the club’s management looking for a new future too soon, he was gone.
From Leeds, it’s easier to take the result than enjoy the game, but why not allow yourself to do the difficult thing this time?
Here were signs of the more careful, pragmatic Leeds that Marsch was promising. Leeds still conceded three, but this was Manchester City. The three conceded to Bournemouth and Fulham, the four to Spurs, the five at Brentford, those have been the problem.
Monaco switched on for the second half and scored three from three more decent attacks inside ten minutes. Trying a bit of quick maths, I calculated Monaco were on course for a final tally of fourteen and a half, and the sad thing was, it didn't look unlikely.
Mateusz Klich and Jesse Marsch need to go out and get drunk together or something and realise they're a couple of fellas with a lot the other might like. Everyone loves an unlikely buddy comedy at Christmas.
With the Festa d'Elx trophy at stake nobody knew if a draw meant penalties, a dance-off, competitive hot dog eating or what.
When Leeds are playing well it's because the tactics are good and the players are good, and when Leeds are playing badly the tactics are still good but the players are not. That's a convenient way for a head coach to remain blameless
This was technically a cup match, with a Wembley final (in February!) just a few wins away. But that sort of glorious dream felt much further off than that.
Staggering around the pitch at full-time after beating Bournemouth, swaying and shouting like a teenager finishing his first four-pack of Stella, Marsch looked as powerless as any other Leeds fan to resist what this club is. Buy into it, Jesse. Live a little.
When he shook hands with Jurgen Klopp at full-time, Jesse Marsch didn't look him in the eye, he seemed to be looking at a ghost instead. Then came the hugs and the shouting, and it was like someone uncorked a magnum of testosterone to revive Jesse so he could enjoy his triumph.