Leeds United needed to break down an incredibly stubborn Sunderland side on Tuesday night, but our January attacking midfield signing was left at home again.
United’s spirited defeat at home to Manchester City had to be quickly forgotten with attention on another Elland Road opportunity, this time against Sunderland.
The Black Cats came to LS11 ravaged by injury and named a lineup that was there for the taking. Instead, we had to sit through a limp display that deserved very little, and got nothing.
Daniel Farke to blame as Leeds United tactical approach was all wrong vs Sunderland
We can sit here and moan about another diabolical refereeing performance and VAR controversy until we’re blue in the face. That was downright disgraceful from Stuart Attwell and VAR Paul Tierney.
However, it’s not the reason Leeds didn’t do enough to win that game. The reason is how Daniel Farke chose to approach the game with his starting lineup and his subs.
Sunderland came to Leeds as one of the worst away sides in the league, and our lineup was unchanged from the one that was selected to stifle Manchester City. Two wildly contrasting game states, but the same players selected to carry out the task.
As it transpired, Leeds were unable to produce anything meaningful in open play throughout the game.
Leeds United stats v SunderlandPossession70%Shots (on target)18 (4)Big chances0xG1.15Open Play xG0.51Corners9
Daniel Farke subs called into question as Leeds United fail to break down Sunderland
When Farke finally turned to his bench after the hour mark, Leeds’ lack of width and supply remained.
We thought we’d broke the deadlock through Joe Rodon, only to be a goal down five minutes later as it was chalked off and Sunderland converted their following penalty.
Upon conceding, Farke finally addressed Leeds’ narrow setup with the introduction of Willy Gnonto and Dan James. In turn, Leeds looked to overload out wide and asked questions of the Black Cats.
But it was to no avail. Leeds could have played for another three hours without scoring. Jaka Bijol and Joel Piroe were introduced with six minutes of normal time remaining as the last-ditch Hail Mary. Bijol came closest to finding an equaliser, but even then, Sunderland never looked like they were clinging on for dear life.
Facundo Buonanotte surely can’t wait to leave Leeds United after latest snub
I’m left wondering what on earth the point in signing Facundo Buonanotte even was.
Yes, he was poor in that FA Cup full debut against Birmingham City, but he was poor by virtue of being noticeably lacking match sharpness. There’s only one way you rectify that, and it’s by playing him more often.
I think we’re all in agreement that there’s very little chance of Buonanotte ever changing Farke’s mind, unless he has a stormer on Sunday in the FA Cup. But, I wouldn’t even expect him to start in this game now.
When Piroe came on, you’re hoping that we get him in the positions where he’s best – on the end of chances in the final third. Instead, Piroe’s influence was concentrated on the right, playing in the half-spaces and out on the touchline in the mould of a typical Farke attacking midfielder like Emi Buendia. Like Buonanotte, ironically.
“Sometimes, difficult to take. Football sometimes. So dominant. We knew we would face a compact side. Difficult to open. So many shots, set pieces. Opponent probably struggling to understand how they have won,” Farke said, via Beren Cross.
To me, if you know you’re coming up against a side that will ask you to break them down, you select a squad that is best equipped to break a team down. Buonanotte was signed in January specifically for this sort of situation, while we know from two-and-a-half years of Piroe that these games aren’t nearly suited to his skill set.
At this point, I’d wager Buonanotte is regretting pushing to leave Chelsea to join us in January. He’s probably looking forward to leaving in the summer so he can get back to actually playing.
0%
Love
0%
Funny
0%
Wow
100%
Sad
0%
Angry
Post navigation