Just as a window of opportunity appeared to be opening, Daniel Farke chose to change formation and close it in the face of Leeds United’s £4.5 million signing.
On New Year’s Day, the overwhelming feeling at Elland Road was one of frustration.
2025 starting with the most galling of 1-1 draws, Leeds punished in stoppage time by Blackburn Rovers following a performance Daniel Farke thought veered too far into sluggishness up against a well-drilled, defensively-minded team.
Blackburn’s deep-lying tactics prompted Farke to rearrange his pack and try something new once it became evident that Sam Byram’s energy reserves had run out. Rather than bring on Isaac Schmidt, Farke introduced Wilfried Gnonto, followed by Ethan Ampadu, Patrick Bamford, and Mateo Joseph.
A Leeds United team who generally operate with two centre-halves and one striker ended the game with three-centre-halves and two strikers.
Daniel Farke explains Isaac Schmidt exclusion in Leeds United’s Blackburn draw
Schmidt, on the other hand, has yet to make his maiden appearance on the Championship stage. The £4.5 million summer signing from St Gallen has made only seven cameo second-tier outings, totaling 25 minutes of action.
And, with Schmidt missed despite Byram and Jayden Bogle playing only 45 and 51 minutes against Blackburn, the former Switzerland Under-20 international could be forgiven for wondering when his moment will come.
Farke’s explanation for leaving Schmidt on the bench is that he believed Leeds needed the experience and leadership of Ethan Ampadu, the captain entering the game in the second-half.
The decision to introduce Max Wober in Schmidt’s favoured left-sided role, meantime, paid off when the Austrian’s cross resulted in the penalty from which Pascal Struijk gave Leeds a hard-earned 88th minute lead at Elland Road.
Farke rules out Schmidt’s centre-back role at Elland Road.
“I was already thinking about changing to a three-man formation,” Farke tells me. “Then, during this difficult game, I wanted my captain on the field. With Ethan, we had the opportunity to play with three centre-backs.
“This is why I took him off the bench rather than a natural substitute like Isaac Schmidt, a more offensive-minded full-back who cannot play as a third centre-back.
“But yes, whenever plays question [their role] my door is always open.”
In further blow to Schmidt’s hopes of a first Championship start, Daniel Farke brushed down concerns over Jayden Bogle.
Bogle, he says, might return in time for the Hull game this weekend. There were concerns that the in-form full-back had injured his hamstring. Instead, Farke dismisses his 51st-minute substitution as a mere ‘dead leg’.
Junior Firpo is also working hard to regain fitness for Leeds, with an FA Cup match against Harrogate Town on the horizon.
