Reading boss Ruben Selles made a surprising decision in his team selection for the first League One match of the season. Star forward Femi Azeez, who had been impressive in pre-season games, was notably absent from the squad.
Despite Azeez’s absence, Reading’s lineup featured some familiar faces. Joel Pereira was stationed in goal, supported by a defensive line consisting of Jeriel Dorsett, Michael Craig, Tyler Bindon, and Amadou Mbengue.
In midfield, Ben Elliott, Harvey Knibbs, and Lewis Wing were tasked with controlling the game. Mamadi Camara stepped in to replace Azeez, joining Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan on the wings. The attacking duties fell to Sam Smith, with support from the young Academy graduates.
Speaking of the Academy, Reading’s bench showcased the club’s commitment to developing young talent, with Jayden Wareham being the lone forward option among the substitutes.
On the other side, Birmingham City fielded a strong lineup, including last season’s top scorer Alfie May and defender Krystian Bielik. The stage was set for an exciting clash at St Andrew’s.
Despite the absence of Azeez, Reading fans remained hopeful that the team could secure a positive result in their opening fixture. The spotlight was now on the players selected by Selles to step up and make an impact in the absence of the star forward.
As the match unfolded, it became clear that Reading’s lineup was up for the challenge. The makeshift back four held firm against Birmingham’s attacking threats, with Pereira making crucial saves to keep the team in the game.
In midfield, Elliott, Knibbs, and Wing worked tirelessly to control the tempo of the match, while Camara and Ehibhatiomhan provided width and creativity in the attacking third. Smith led the line with determination, looking to make the most of his opportunity in the starting lineup.
As the final whistle blew, Reading emerged with a hard-fought draw against Birmingham City. Despite the absence of Azeez, Selles’ team had shown resilience and determination to secure a valuable point on the road.
Looking ahead, Reading fans could take heart from the performance of the team in the absence of their star forward. The depth of talent in the squad and the commitment of the players boded well for the challenges that lay ahead in the League One campaign. With Azeez set to return to action in the coming matches, the future looked bright for Reading FC.