QPR faced a tough defeat against Reading in a recent pre-season friendly match, with Lyndon Dykes suffering another injury setback. Dykes, who had just returned to action for QPR after missing Euro 2024 due to an ankle injury, unfortunately had to be substituted off just 14 minutes after coming on as a substitute. This injury is certainly a setback for both Dykes and QPR as they prepare for the upcoming season.
In addition to Dykes’ injury, new signing Zan Celar made his debut for QPR in the match against Reading. The Slovenian player recently joined the team from Swiss club Lugano, and his presence on the field was a positive development despite the overall result of the match. Alongside Celar, other recent signings Liam Morrison and Heverrton Santos also got some playing time as late substitutes, showcasing the depth of talent within the QPR squad.
Reading managed to secure a 1-0 victory over QPR, with Femi Azeez scoring the only goal of the match early in the second half. An error by Kenneth Paal, who struggled to deal with a diagonal ball from Amadou Mbengue, allowed Azeez to capitalize on the opportunity and find the back of the net. Despite some promising moments for QPR, including a close attempt by Paul Smyth that hit the underside of the bar, they were unable to find an equalizer.
Smyth had another chance to level the score after a pass from Celar, but Reading’s keeper Joel Pereira denied him the opportunity. Rayan Kolli also had a goal disallowed for offside, highlighting the fine margins that can determine the outcome of a match. Overall, it was a challenging game for QPR, but there were glimpses of potential and promising performances from some of the new signings.
As QPR continues their pre-season preparations, they will be hoping for a swift recovery for Lyndon Dykes and a stronger showing in their upcoming matches. The team will be looking to build cohesion and form partnerships on the field to ensure they are ready for the competitive season ahead. Despite the setback against Reading, there are opportunities for growth and improvement as QPR fine-tunes their squad for the challenges that lie ahead.
