Leeds United have also shared the news of an injury blow to a “key” star after getting knocked out of the EFL Cup to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening.
Leeds knocked out of EFL Cup with embarrassing Sheffield Wednesday defeat
Daniel Farke said he was embarrassed and apologised to Leeds fans after his side crashed out of the EFL Cup on penalties. Against an extremely young Owls side, the Whites fielded a strong side and required Jayden Bogle to cancel out goalkeeper Karl Darlow’s second-half own goal to take the tie to penalties.
However, misses from Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sean Longstaff saw the Whites lose 3-0 in the shootout. Talking after the game, Farke said:
“We have to take all of the criticism and we are self-critical because out of all the chances we should put four or five goals to bed. It’s always a bit annoying and you feel a bit embarrassed as a Premier League side, but we have been involved in so many games on this level, especially in the cup – this is why there are so many surprises and shock results.
“Even the team in the lower league can win such a game. Today was one of those days and congratulations to Sheffield Wednesday.”
When asked for his message to Leeds fans, Farke said: “You can feel for them. We’re sorry anyhow. We feel a bit embarrassed that we don’t go through in such a game. We can just say ‘sorry’ because they made the trip and wanted to celebrate.”
Leeds signings
From
Fee
Noah Okafor
AC Milan
£18m
Anton Stach
Hoffenheim
£17.4m
Jaka Bijol
Udinese
£15m
Lucas Perri
Lyon
£13.9m
Sean Longstaff
Newcastle
£12m
Gabriel Gudmundsson
Lille
£10m
James Justin
Leicester City
£10m
Sebastiaan Bornauw
Wolfsburg
£5m
Lukas Nmecha
Wolfsburg
Free
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Everton
Free
Farke reveals injury to Leeds star Tanaka
Missing from the defeat at Hillsborough was midfielder Ao Tanaka. The Japan international was replaced in the 5-0 defeat at the Emirates on Saturday and, like Ethan Ampadu, has suffered an MCL injury and will be out for weeks. When asked about Tanaka’s injury, Farke said:
“It’s quite similar to Ethan Ampadu’s injury. Of course it’s tough to take. Two of our key players in central midfield positions are out within a few days, but that’s football. We have to get on with it and find some solutions.”
Tanaka starred in the opening day win over Everton and has been a vital player for Leeds since joining from Fortuna Dusseldorf last summer for just £3m.
However, with both Ampadu and Tanaka sidelined for the foreseeable, Farke will have to rely on Longstaff, Anton Stach and Ilia Gruev, or look to bring in another midfielder before the transfer deadline.