Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa has told The Yorkshire Evening Post that Robin Koch played well against Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday.
What’s the story?
Koch played in midfield for Leeds in the Premier League yesterday.
The Germany international, who is actually better as a defender, started in the middle of the park ahead of Kalvin Phillips.
Phillips was on the substitutes’ bench for the start of the game, as he had returned late for pre-season training.
That’s because the midfielder was part of the England squad that reached the Euro 2020 final this summer.
What Marcelo Bielsa said
Leeds lost 5-1 at Old Trafford and could not control the tempo in the middle of the park.
However, head coach Bielsa was impressed by Koch and has praised the 25-year-old Germany international.
Bielsa told The Yorkshire Evening Post: “Phillips is a player who always shines [but] I don’t think it’s a question of individualities as to why we couldn’t play a more balanced game.
“Like I said at the start it was difficult for us to take the ball off them and difficult for us to create.
“I liked how [Koch] played. I thought he was a dynamic player, he was present, he was willing, committed. He made lots of effort and he had presence throughout the game.”
How did Robin Koch play?
Phillips is one of the best players in the Premier League, and, frankly, Leeds do not have a like-for-like replacement for him in their squad.
Well, at least not to his high standards.
Koch did not look particularly great in his midfield role, as United star Bruno Fernandes was all over him and ran him ragged.
The Germany international had a pass accuracy of 77.8%, won two headers, took 41 touches, attempted three dribbles, and made two tackles, three interceptions and three clearances.
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