Swansea City : Swans display is a much needed boost for the fans ! Friday, 24th Jul 2026 15:18 by Olle Söderholm The Swans were in very decent form against Udinese Calcio this afternoon in their final pre season friendly in Austria. Questions still remain over Zān Vipotnik with the club stating he hasn’t played in the past three games due to a minor injury. The Alps, Mitersill and football. Udinese Calcio from Udine against Swansea City from Swansea — the last friendly in Austria. Lovely weather, good opposition and good football, topped off with a Swansea win. What a day. This game, unlike the previous friendlies, was played in two 45-minute halves, with a hydration break in each half. Two new signings started today: Moussa Yeo and Stephen Welsh. Filip Lissah also featured at right back, a player who is very interesting heading into this upcoming season. The first half saw Swansea looking good. The press worked really well for the first 25 minutes, and we controlled the game. Welsh won the ball from a Udinese goal-kick, and after some quick passes, Melker Widell threaded a through ball to Liam Cullen, who found himself 1-on-1 with the keeper and slotted it home to make it 1-0. After the hydration break, Udinese came out with more intensity and for a couple of minutes Vitor Matos side looked shaky at the back. We found our footing again and the Swans build-up play became very impressive, as we began to find the correct angles to play out. A few players stood out in the first half: Moussa Yeo looked very promising today. He was good in the press — better than I had expected — and on the ball he seemed energetic and creative, though he lacked that end product, which I suspect will be his main area for improvement. Give him sharper decision-making in the final third and a little more quality in that last ball, and we have a really good player on our hands. Filip Lissah is a very tidy player. He looks considerably better with the ball than either Josh Key or Sam Parker (who was preferred on the left again) but lacks their pace to recover. Even so, I think he is a player who fits our style of play far better; we can't afford to have players in our back four who are poor in possession if Swansea are to fight for promotion. This is why I think Stephen Welsh was a smart signing too. From what I've seen of him this pre-season and at Motherwell, he is considerably better with the ball at his feet than Cameron Burgess, misplacing passes far less often and proving more press-resistant. He does, however, lack Burgess' physicality and presence in the air — Burgess is a real beast aerially. Melker Widell played the first half as a box-to-box midfielder, lining up alongside Cullen and Jay Fulton, and I thought he was brilliant. We already know he is one of our best pressers, but today he also showcased his ability on the ball, picking up a fine assist and cementing himself as perhaps my standout player of the day. The first half ended 1-0 to the Jacks. In the second half, new signings Elijah Just and Joseph Opoku entered the game alongside Marko Stamenic. Just took Cullen's role as the number 10 and Opoku moved to the right, replacing Ronald. Unfortunately, Swansea started the second half poorly, struggling to retain the ball as the press became less organised. Fifteen minutes later, Thomas Woodward, Leo Walta, Cameron Congreve and Andy Fisher came on, with Sam Parker replacing Tymon at left back shortly after. Reinvigorated, Swansea grew back into the game. After some good footwork by Opoku, Woodward came very close to doubling the lead, a good save denying him. The Swans started to control the ball again, with Stamenic the clear standout in that regard. After the second half' hydration break, Udinese improved again and we were pinned back, struggling to attack on the counter. But the momentum continued to shift, and in the last 15 minutes it was Swansea who stepped on the gas. A counter fell to Elijah Just, who cut inside from the right and, from just outside the box, curled the ball inside the right post. 2-0, and Swansea could have had more — another counter saw Leo Walta play Joseph Opoku through on goal, but the Ghanaian struck the post. The game ended 2-0, and the Swans can be very pleased with that result. For large parts of this game Swansea City controlled the tempo, were comfortable in possession and looked threatening whenever we won the ball or broke on the counter. It's only pre-season, but this was against good opposition. Udinese came 10th in Serie A last season, and in the first half at least 5 of their players were regular starters. A very good performance from Matos' men. But everyone wants to hear about the new signings, and I think we should be equally delighted there. I covered Welsh and Yeo in the first-half notes, but Joseph Opoku and Elijah Just didn't disappoint either. Opoku has great physicality — he's fast and strong — and he showcased today that he can be dangerous in a one on one challenge. He is a bit raw in possession, with some misplaced passes and questionable decision-making, but he's only 20 and already showing signs of real value. One for the future. Elijah Just is a very interesting player. He doesn’t possess blistering pace, he can be outstanding technically but isn’t physically imposing, but the man can score. His goal today is a perfect example of what he brings — just a moment of opportunity, and he takes it to perfection; precisely what he demonstrated at Motherwell and at the World Cup. I think we can count on him for goals in the upcoming season. The Alps, Mitersill and a good Swansea performance, topped off with a win. What more can you ask for? ⚽️ Indy footnote : Of course questions over Vipotnik remain but so there should be regards Eom and Cameron Burgess who unlike Marko Stamenić returned to pre season training completing his three week break after the World Cup. Players need to leave of course and possibly we shouldn’t read too much into this. On Vipotnik he could be rested due to this injury but then again he could also be rested so the Swans can keep him medically fit for any pending transfer. The decision why is yours alone. ⚽️ Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux (Andy Fisher 60), Jay Fulton (Marko Stamenic HT), Ben Cabango, Melker Widell (Leo Walta 60), Josh Tymon (Sam Parker 70), Liam Cullen (Elijah Just HT), Stephen Welsh (Carter Heywood 80), Filip Lissah (Josh Key 60), Adam Idah (Thomas Woodwatd 60), Ronald (Joseph Opoku HT), Moussa Yeo (Cameron Congreve 60) Substitutes: Paul Farman, Evan Watts, Bobby Wales, Zeidane Inoussa, Ollie Cooper, Dan Watts, Arthur Parker, Carter Heywood. (OS) ⚽️ Udinese Calcio (shirt numbers) ⚽️ Swansea City (shirt numbers) Leon post match. Latest transfer chat ⚽️ Credit John The Hatter, 21/7/2026 and Swans Lounge on X Follow the Indy on X   ⚽️ CyberSmile BEAT the online cowards Photograph : Swansea City AFC Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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