Daniel Farke Disappointed with Leeds United‘s 2-0 FA Cup Loss to Millwall
Daniel Farke, the Leeds United manager, may have placed little importance on progress in the FA Cup, but he was still disappointed with the team’s 2-0 loss to Millwall at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon. Femi Azeez scored a brace as Millwall secured their second win of the season over Leeds, having beaten The Whites at The Den earlier in the season thanks to Japhet Tanganga’s winner.
Leeds made 10 changes for the match, with Sam Chambers making his full debut, Pascal Struijk returning from injury to start, and Ethan Ampadu the only remaining player from Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over Coventry. The changes showed, as Leeds lacked the rhythm and consistency that their starting XI normally offers.
Leeds-chances-go-amiss”>Mateo Joseph Under the Spotlight as Leeds‘ Chances Go Amiss
Mateo Joseph, who was the subject of a £10 million bid from Real Betis on the transfer deadline day, was handed a start in place of Joel Piroe. However, the young Spaniard struggled, playing the entire match but failing to have much of an impact. Aidy White believes Leeds may have sold Joseph if the offer had arrived early enough to bring in a replacement.
Speaking after the loss, Farke acknowledged that Joseph had not taken his chance against Millwall: “It was always going to be a difficult game for a striker today. Don’t go too deep with it, important to have 90 mins under his belt.”
Mateo Joseph’s Lack of Touches Speak Volumes on Saturday
Mateo Joseph’s performance on Saturday was underwhelming, as he touched the ball only 26 times, which was less than 10 other players, including those who came off the bench as substitutes. This suggests that he struggled to get involved in the game, with the physical presence and experience of Millwall’s central defenders, Tanganga and Jake Cooper, proving to be a significant challenge.
Farke is right that it was always going to be a tough game for a striker, but Joseph will be disappointed that he didn’t do more to impact the match. With Piroe currently ahead of him in the pecking order, Joseph will need to work hard to prove his worth and earn more playing time.
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The loss to Millwall in the FA Cup was a disappointment for Leeds United, and Mateo Joseph’s performance will be a concern for the club. However, it is important for the young striker to learn from this experience and continue to work on his game to earn more playing time and opportunities to showcase his talent.
Call to Action: Stay tuned for more updates on Leeds United‘s season and the development of their young players like Mateo Joseph.
