---
title: "Leeds United: Luke Ayling and Illan Meslier nervy against Leicester"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-luke-ayling-and-illan-meslier-nervy-against-leicester/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2022-03-05T14:22:51Z"
modified: "2022-03-05T14:24:22Z"
---

# Leeds United: Luke Ayling and Illan Meslier nervy against Leicester

**Leeds United duo Luke Ayling and Illan Meslier looked a little jittery at times in Jesse Marsch’s first game in charge against Leicester City.**

That’s according to Leeds Live correspondent Beren Cross.

### The lowdown

Marsch took the reins for the first time since replacing the sacked Marcelo Bielsa following last weekend’s 4-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

Ayling started as a right-sided centre-back in the American’s 4-2-3-1 formation, partnering Pascal Struijk in the heart of defence [with Diego Llorente injured](https://www.sofascore.com/leeds-united-leicester-city/GsJ).

It was the Englishman’s 13th Premier League start in succession and his [17th overall this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/luke-ayling/leistungsdaten/spieler/67420).

They were protecting Meslier’s goal, with the Frenchman [retaining his no. 1 spot](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/illan-meslier/leistungsdaten/spieler/542586) following the managerial charge.

### The latest

10 minutes into the match, Cross [took to Twitter](https://twitter.com/BerenCross/status/1500088783655649282) to note that there had been ‘some nervous moments around their box for Ayling and Meslier already’.

In a further update on [Leeds Live’s match blog](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leicester-city-leeds-united-live-23291830), he said they’d emerged unscathed from some ‘hairy moments’ in the early stages, with Meslier even forced to Cruyff turn past an onrushing attacker at one point.

### The verdict

It was a mixed afternoon for Ayling at The King Power Stadium. On the positive side, he won seven ground duels and four of his six aerial battles (via [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/leeds-united-leicester-city/GsJ)).

But he was somewhat loose with his passing, misplacing 15 of the 69 he attempted (22%) and missing the mark with nine of his 19 long balls.

It’s worth noting, in Ayling’s defence, that he is [predominantly](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/luke-ayling/leistungsdaten/spieler/67420/plus/0?saison=ges) a right-back, and that he may not have been playing as a CB if Llorente was fit and available.

**In other news, [Cross was shocked by what he heard from Marsch’s presser](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-beren-cross-shocked-by-one-thing-he-heard-from-jesse-marschs-first-thorp-arch-presser/).**