One player stood out from the rest on Saturday as Leeds United drew 1-1 at Aston Villa.
Leeds United title-winner Tony Dorigo believes Anton Stach epitomises the combination of fighting spirit and technical quality that runs through Daniel Farke’s squad.
That all-action role is backed up by the stats too, with Stach’s 46 chances created double that of second-best creator Brenden Aaronson while Ethan Ampadu is the only midfielder winning more than his 45 tackles so far this season. And that combination of fight and skill is endearing the 6ft 4ins German to Leeds fans and former players alike.
“Yeah, he's wonderful. He's absolutely wonderful,” Dorigo exclusively told the YEP via Casino Groups. “I think when we saw him at the start of the season, suddenly we had this midfielder who’s combative, who flies around the pitch getting to those challenges.
“But also, when he gets the ball, he can carry it 20, 30, 40 yards. And then we've seen that he's got ability. So all of a sudden he's taking the corner kicks, he's taking the free kicks. He scored a brilliant free kick at Wolves and another one at Villa.
“When you've got the likes of Ampadu in there and Stach, it makes us better, simple as that. I love the guy, the way he plays. I just love his attitude as well. He's not assuming, but he gets out there and gives everything.
“It kind of epitomises just the way this team is at the moment, in that there are no superstars and no gigantic egos. I think all the boys understand where they are and that they have to work so hard for each other, and they're happily doing that, and Stach is one of those.”
The only disappointment from Stach's perspective on Saturday will have been that his goal wasn’t a winner. It looked set to be for a long time until Villa substitute Tammy Abraham’s 88th-minute thigh-finish made it 1-1.
Tony Dorigo on Leeds United disappointment but good Aston Villa point
Leeds had chances to extend their lead beyond the one goal and will no doubt be disappointed with the nature of their concession, with Joe Rodon - excellent all day - losing first contact and no one able to thwart Abraham. That disappointment is testament to their recent form but a point at Villa is no bad point indeed.
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“I think where the disappointment comes in is the late goal when you've hung on,” Dorigo added. “You've done so well for such a long period and then to concede, especially the way that we conceded, it was frustrating.
“But you look at the overall play, there's no doubt Villa had some chances and plenty of possession, but then I just think of that chance for [Lukas] Nmecha with that header. If that goes in, suddenly you're looking at three points. So it was a little frustrating because it was so late.
“But I think overall, you got to be thinking ‘we've just gone to a team that are third in the table and have been talked about as possibly challenging for the title, they're looking nailed on for a Champions League spot and we've almost beaten them’. So I think it's another performance that solidifies the strength of character and the belief that the team has got.”
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