Anton Stach stepped out onto the Elland Road turf for the first time since completing his move to Leeds United from Hoffenheim on Saturday, as Daniel Farke’s side held their own against Villarreal.
A fourth pre-season friendly saw Leeds take on a side that will be in next season’s Champions League, in the form of Villarreal. Etta Eyong opened the scoring for Villarreal, but Joel Piroe equalised for Leeds.
A fourth goal in pre-season for the Dutchman, who is giving his best to show Daniel Farke he can be the man to lead the line in the Premier League. Piroe was joint-first with Sam Byram in the Leeds bleep test.
But it also saw the likes of Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Anton Stach, Sean Longstaff and Lukas Nmecha taste the support of the Elland Road crowd for the first time, with Stach arguably Leeds’ best.
Anton Stach in action for Leeds against Villarreal.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Anton Stach praises Leeds atmosphere after Elland Road bow
Having made a £19.9m move to Leeds from Hoffenheim, two-time Germany international Stach is still the club’s most expensive signing of the summer. Leeds spent £17.3m up front on Stach, £2.6m in add-ons.
What is interesting, is that Stach came within a whisker of scoring direct from a free-kick. At 6ft 4in, the midfielder was expected to be a threat from set-pieces, yet his free-kick taking was rather impressive.
Stach posted on Instagram after turning out for Leeds at Elland Road for the first time, describing the Elland Road atmosphere as “unreal”. The German says he “can’t wait to light it up” at Leeds’ home.
“Debut at Elland Road — unreal feeling. Can’t wait to light it up at home in the Premier League.”
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What will Daniel Farke’s midfield look like against Everton?
With one more pre-season game to play against AC Milan in Dublin, it is likely that Farke will field his best XI to take on the Italian side in preparation. Pascal Struijk is likely to partner Joe Rodon in the defence.
Jaka Bijol is suspended, and Sebastiaan Bornauw is missing with a muscle injury. It means that Struijk is likely to get a chance to show Farke what he can do in the Premier League, alongside starter Rodon.
While centre-back doesn’t change, midfield certainly will. Farke fielded a 4-3-3 instead of a 4-2-3-1 again against Villarreal, fielding two no.8’s alongside Ethan Ampadu. Stach will surely start with Sean Longstaff.