Pascal Struijk welcomes Wembley 'second chance' and feels bullish about Chelsea test | OneFootball

Pascal Struijk says Leeds United’s FA Cup semi-final offers him a long-awaited Wembley debut and a shot at redemption for long-serving team-mates. Injury left him a spectator at a previous Wembley final, so this trip carries extra weight.

As reported by yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the 26-year-old arrived from Ajax on a free in 2018 and has experienced Leeds’ highs and lows, from Marcelo Bielsa’s behind-closed-doors title lift to relegation under Sam Allardyce. He played 35 Championship games last season on the road back to the Premier League.

At the London Stadium, Leeds surged 2-0 ahead, then the Hammers dragged the tie to extra time and penalties. Lucas Perri saved two spot-kicks and Struijk converted the clincher for a 4-2 shootout win, sparking celebrations with 9,000 travelling fans.

Struijk described the moment as incredible and said the club deserved a second chance at Wembley, having felt the strain of 120 minutes and a setback before extra time. He suggested that sometimes winning in such circumstances can feel even better.

He learned soon after that Chelsea await at Wembley on the weekend of April 25. Leeds beat them comfortably at Elland Road earlier this season, then came from two down to claim a point at Stamford Bridge. Struijk believes those results give confidence and that they will go with nothing to lose.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk