The Whites had 13 players away during September's FIFA-scheduled break for various international competitions. Some of Farke's men, like Ao Tanaka and Junior Firpo, travelled incredible distances before returning to Thorp Arch, where they managed just a single training session together as a squad ahead of the Burnley fixture. Last season Leeds made light work of their return to Championship action after the September and October international breaks, beating Millwall 3-0 and Norwich City 3-2 respectively.
But in November, when they had to play on the Friday night at the end of the second week of the break, they struggled in a 1-1 draw with Rotherham United. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Yorkshire Evening Post, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. October 2024 will bring an element of déjà vu for Farke, when Leeds play against South Yorkshire opposition on the Friday after the break.
This time Sheffield United will be the opponent, at Elland Road, on Friday October 18. "We know that no other team on this level is perhaps hurt that much in international breaks, because we have had 13 players away," said Farke after Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Burnley. "We like this fact because it means also we have good players on international duty, but especially the first game is always a bit more affected.
I thought we had a really good perfo.