£15m Leeds United star's emotional debut season verdict after 'amazing' Brighton win
Jaka Bijol was excellent again as Leeds United beat Brighton late on at Elland Road.
Leeds United defender Jaka Bijol is already looking forward to season number two after enjoying ‘every second’ of his debut Elland Road year.
Bijol, a £15million arrival from Udinese last summer, enjoyed another excellent defensive performance on Sunday as Leeds beat Brighton 1-0 in their final home game. The centre-back was utterly dominant in defending his own box and played a huge part in the keeping of a clean sheet.
That clean sheet looked set to earn Leeds a point going into added-time but Dominic Calvert-Lewin had other ideas, pouncing on a short Jan Paul van Hecke pass before rounding goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and rolling into an empty net. Victory pulled the Whites onto an impressive 47 points, many of which have been won at Elland Road.
“Amazing day again,” Bijol told LUTV. “Last game at Elland Road, I think we couldn't have wished for a better result. We just kept ourselves in the game, at the end one moment decided it.
“[Farke said at half-time] just to keep our composure throughout the game, to keep cool heads because we know they're good on the ball, we know they’ll have possession but unless they create something, let them have it. We just kept our heads cool and kept in the game. At the end, we always get our chances to score, Dom took that one.
“It’s been amazing, I've enjoyed every second and I can’t wait for next season. A little rest in the middle then we go again.”
Leeds have now extended their unbeaten run to eight games, with similarities to the first season back under Marcelo Bielsa in which they lost just one from their final 11. A ninth-placed finish isn’t quite on the cards but with survival wrapped up and mid-table in sight, Bijol and his teammates can reflect on an outstanding year.
“It was a really amazing season, I couldn't wish for a better one honestly,” the Slovenian added. “Throughout the season we always stuck together with our fans, they brought us some amazing nights, we just gave everything on the pitch and I think that connection was visible throughout the season.
“I have enjoyed every second of this season, even when I wasn't playing, they [teammates] kept me in a good mood. It was important at the beginning to have them there to support me when I’m not feeling the best. I’m really glad I could help them with my performances because they were just amazing throughout the season.”