'Heartbroken' - Leeds United star's 26-word FA Cup admission with Burnley message sent
Leeds United's FA Cup campaign ended at the semi-final stage after defeat to Chelsea.
Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach admits feeling ‘heartbroken’ after his swift return from injury ended in an FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.
Stach suffered an ankle ligament injury in the competition’s previous round at West Ham three weeks ago. The midfielder and centre-back teammate Joe Rodon were expected to be out until May but both have now returned early.
Daniel Farke introduced Stach at half-time on Sunday, with Leeds 1-0 down through Enzo Fernandez’s 23rd-minute header. The German almost made an instant impact, his rifled effort from the edge of the box palmed over by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Stach continued to affect the game but was unable to find that elusive Wembley Leeds goal. Defeat ends the FA Cup dream but the Whites remain well-placed to achieve their main goal of Premier League survival, with the first of four final games at home to Burnley on Friday.
In an Instagram post reflecting on Sunday’s FA Cup elimination, Stach wrote: “Heartbroken after today’s FA Cup semifinal loss. Huge thanks to our amazing fans for the incredible support. Now the focus is on staying in the league.”
Anton Stach injury boost despite familiar Wembley feeling
While defeat brought on the familiar feeling of Wembley disappointment for Leeds, Stach’s early return from injury is a big boost going into that four-game Premier League home straight. The 27-year-old has played a huge part this season and his attacking quality will be needed against bottom-end sides like Burnley, Tottenham and West Ham.
That Stach was able to play 45 minutes came as a surprise to many but the midfielder now has the best part of a full week to recover in time for Burnley on Friday night. And speaking after full-time, Farke hinted that had Leeds found a leveller to take the game to extra-time, a difficult decision might have had to be made.
"He had ligament injury, was expected to be out until the beginning of May," the Leeds boss said. "On Friday he was back in team training, normally two sessions are not enough to take part but it was a special occasion and he's a special player for us so we went a bit against our principles.
“It's good to have him back, it will give him confidence in his body again. I was a bit concerned with 45 minutes, it was definitely not one minute longer possible. I perhaps would have had to take him off for extra-time anyway."