What embarrassed Daniel Farke said after Leeds United cup exit at Sheffield Wednesday with bad Ao Tanaka news
Daniel Farke saw his Leeds United side crash out of the Carabao Cup at Sheffield Wednesday.
Whites boss Daniel Farke has issued an apology to Leeds United’s supporters who saw their side crash out of the Carabao Cup at Sheffield Wednesday and given news of an Ao Tanaka injury blow.
Farke made nine changes to his for Tuesday night’s second round clash at Hillsborough but still selected a strong line up who offered very little in a goalless first half.
A Karl Darlow own goal then put the Owls in front before Jayden Bogle came off the bench to equalise.
Leeds then had chances to bag a winner but none of them were taken and in the end the Whites were dumped out 3-0 on penalties as Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sean Longstaff all failed to score from the spot.
“Yes, it hurts, of course, because we were the favourites today,” said Farke post match.
“We are playing in the Premier League and we have travelled to an away ground at the Championship level and, of course, we are the favourites and want to go through into the next round.
“So, of course, the result hurts. I wouldn't say it's an unbelievable surprise because it's a newly promoted side to the Premier League.
“It's not like we have played the last 30 years at Premier League level”
“You travel to a Championship side - it's not like we have played the last 30 years at Premier League level. So, let's say, humble and grounded.
“It's not like a walk in the park for us if you have an away game against a Championship team. But today, yeah, we just were, I think by all statistics, the better side.
“But the only thing that matters are the goals. And after 90 minutes, they managed somehow to be equal on goals level. And if they were the better side, then in the penalty shootout, and for that, congratulations to Sheffield; they then deserve to win the game.”
Asked if he had a message for United’s fans, Farke said: “You can feel for them and sorry anyhow. We feel a bit embarrassed that we don’t in such a game and you can just say sorry anyhow because they made the trip and wanted to celebrate. Of course we would have wished to have given them a better outcome and also got into the next round.
“The reality today is that we sadly missed too many chances”
“We would have liked to have got into the next round but the reality today is that we sadly missed too many chances.”
Farke also revealed that midfielder Ao Tanaka had suffered an MCL injury in Saturday’s defeat at Arsenal and that he would not be back until after the international break.
Farke said: “MCL injury, he will also be out for a few weeks. It’s difficult at the moment to say exactly when he can return but also definitely not before the international break so it’s quite a similar injury to Ethan Ampadu’s.
“Of course, it’s tough to take that two of our key players in central midfield are more or less out within a few days more or less with the same injury after a tough tackle; always, but that's football. We have to get on with it and find some solutions.”