Leeds United star admits 'not feeling 100%' after 5/10 performance and half-time substitution
The out-of-favour Leeds United defender got 45 minutes before being replaced by James Justin.
Sebastiaan Bornauw has hinted he was playing through the back-end of some illness during Leeds United’s 3-0 FA Cup fifth round win over Norwich City.
Bornauw was handed a first start since the previous round’s penalty-shootout victory at Birmingham City on Sunday. The Belgian was on the right of a back three alongside Jaka Bijol and Ethan Ampadu but lasted just 45 minutes before being replaced at half-time by James Justin.
YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth gave Bornauw a 5/10 in his player ratings, labelling the big defender ‘awkward’ when moving out to right-back with Leeds in possession. By the time of his substitution, the Whites were 2-0 up and well on their way to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Sean Longstaff opened the scoring with a brilliant spin and volley before Bornauw’s fellow defender Gabriel Gudmundsson bagged his first Leeds goal. And the out-of-favour centre-back has now explained why he might have looked a little off the pace during those opening 45 minutes.
In a post on Instagram reflecting on the win, Bornauw wrote: “Quarter-finals bound. Proud of the lads & massive thanks to the fans for the unreal energy. Gave everything in the first half despite not feeling 100% the last few days.”
In the comments section of the post, a young fan wrote: “I was your mascot thank you for a good day MOT”. To which Bornauw replied: “Hope you had a great time.”
A clean sheet for Bornauw despite possible illness struggles
Bornauw contributed towards the keeping of a much-needed clean sheet for Leeds, with Norwich barely creating a chance during the first-half. Daniel Farke’s side were dominant from start to finish and could have been further ahead before Justin’s introduction.
Lukas Nmecha was twice on the wrong side of a 50/50 decision, seeing an opening goal ruled out by VAR for a Willy Gnonto handball and not getting a penalty for a clear push in the back. Longstaff scored shortly after, however, with Gudmundsson and Joel Piroe on the scoresheet either side of half-time.
Should Bornauw have been struggling with illness, he wouldn't have been the first Leeds player to do so. Only recently, Gudmundsson endured a difficult opening 45 minutes at Aston Villa before being taken off at the break.
Farke confirmed after the match his Swedish international defender has been struggling with illness and did recover in time to face Manchester City the following weekend. And with a full week before this Sunday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, Bornauw should be fit to feature if called upon.
The former VfL Wolfsburg man, like many of his fellow starters against Norwich, has been on the fringes of first-team football this season but contributed when needed. Of the four Premier League games Bornauw has started, Leeds are yet to lose and the Belgian has only been involved in one top-flight defeat all season, coming on in the final minutes of a 4-3 loss at Newcastle.