More training in Swansea (1-0)

C.D. Leganés fell in their sixth pre-season friendly in Wales against Swansea City (1-0). A goal by Opoku right before half-time decided the outcome of a clash in which the pepineros continued their preparation.

Featuring the debut of Tunisian international Ismaël Gharbi in the starting lineup as the main novelty, Leganés faced the test against Swansea (eleventh-placed in last season's Championship) as a new opportunity to build momentum ahead of their official debut in fifteen days.

Opoku put the home team ahead just before halftime

Leganés began their match on Welsh soil with great intensity and good ball movement. In fact, ten minutes into the game, Rubén Albés' men had a good chance: following a counter-attack down the right flank, Franquesa's cross was met by Tejero, who sent his shot over the crossbar. After the strong start by the pepineros, Raúl Fernández had to make a great save from a Stamenic strike.

Just as the match approached the half-time break, Swansea managed to break the deadlock: Opoku, following a long-range shot, managed to beat Raúl Fernández, who had advanced to clear a backpass that fell short. Thus, with 1-0 on the scoreboard, both teams retired to the dressing rooms.

Millán and Lalo could've secured the tie for Lega, which will wrap up its preseason with three more friendlies next week

With the introduction of Rubén Peña, Pulido, and Naim after the break, Leganés sought to equalize. The pepineros had a very dangerous approach, but Rubén Peña's low cross across the box failed to find a teammate to finish it. Both teams made substitutions, and one of them, academy player Suleiman, enjoyed a good opportunity on the break, but his shot was ultimately saved by the Welsh side's goalkeeper.

Raúl Fernández had to intervene in a dangerous play by the hosts following a sharp cutback and shot from Ronald. The game opened up, and both sides had dangerous entries into the penalty area. However, the clearest chances fell to Álex Millán: on the first, he couldn't get a shot off inside the 6-yard box, and on the second, following a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, his chip was cleared by the local defense. In stoppage time, Lalo grazed the crossbar with a header following a corner, but the match ended with a narrow home victory.

Leganés will return to Spain this Sunday to face the final week of pre-season, during which they will play their last three friendlies against Al-Rayyan (Tuesday, 19:00 hours), Mérida (Friday, 19:00 hours), and Tenerife (Saturday, 21:00 hours) before the league opener on Sunday, August 16 (19:00 hours) in Girona.

MATCH DETAILS:

SWANSEA CITY: Vigouroux; Key, Burgess (Heywood 74’), Lissah (Parker 86’), Tymon; Stamenic (Inoussa 74’), Widell (Walta 46’); Yeo (Eom 46’), Just (Fulton 62’), Opoku (Ronald 62’); e Idah (Vipotnik 74’).

C.D. LEGANÉS: Raúl Fernández; Tejero (Rubén Peña 46’), Lalo, Ignasi Miquel (Pulido 46’), Marvel, Franquesa (Naim 46’); Kechta (Andrés Campos 53’), Atienza, Buurmeester; Gharbi (Suleiman 64’) y Álex Millán.

REFEREES: Jordan Harman (Wales). Yellow card for Eom, Swansea City, and for Rubén Peña, Leganés.

GOALS: 1-0 (42’) Opoku.

STADIUM: Swansea.com Stadium (Swansea).