Leeds United captain Pascal Struijk has attempted to explain Illan Meslier’s stoppage time error against Sunderland.
Meslier inexplicably allowed the ball to bounce over his body and into the net in the seventh minute of stoppage time, securing Sunderland’s unexpected 2-2 draw.
Leeds had put on a virtually flawless defensive performance after Junior Firpo put them ahead just after half-time, with Joe Rodon and Struijk simply huge in the back.
With two away journeys in such close proximity, Leeds were clearly content to sit back and defend what they had after going 2-1 up, which they did.
Unfortunately, Meslier committed a once-in-a-career blunder at the worst possible time for Leeds, leaving Firpo unable to disguise his rage after the final whistle.
Struijk reveals what he noticed about the Sunderland pitch.
Meslier glanced straight at the pitch after the ball dribbled into the net, as if it had taken an unexpected bounce.
Of course, blaming something else is a normal reaction for most people, but he will be as aware as anybody else that it was a simple gathering he should have made.
Struijk, Meslier’s closest friend at the club, was asked on LUTV after full-time about how he felt in the dressing room.
Struijk claimed that after Meslier’s blunder, he went over and checked the surface and discovered a’massive dent’ where the ball rebounded, in addition to his apparent disappointment.
He stated, “Of course he is disappointed; he understands that these things happen in football.” I looked at the surface; there is a large dent there, and I have a better chance of winning the lottery than it going in a hole and then bouncing to his right, but we all know Illan is a fantastic goalkeeper.
“He will undoubtedly save us; within a few games, he will make spectacular saves.] Of course, there’s cause to be frustrated right now, but he’ll make plenty of saves throughout the season.
Farke says Meslier is in tears in the Leeds changing room.
Meslier didn’t help himself at full-time after being seen on camera by Sky Sports joking with Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris, whom he had met at Lorient.
However, it is absolutely inaccurate to claim that Meslier is demonstrating a lack of concern, with Daniel Farke revealing that he was virtually in tears in the dressing room.
He replied, “No, because after this, no one wants to hear any words. It does need to be explained. Struijk claimed he had never seen anything like that.
“He stated that the ball bounced in a different direction. I can’t tell you if it did, but this is what Pascal stated. Illan is in tears in the dressing room.
