Jaka Bijol
Leeds United defender Jaka Bijol has insisted that he’s not saving himself for the Premier League during this international break.
Ekipa report on comments from the Leeds defender today. He won’t be holding back during this international break, when Slovenia take on Hungary and Montenegro.
They held their last training session in Brdo on Friday morning before heading to Budapest for the game.
Managers ask for rest
Given both games are friendlies, managers for all the players will be hoping for limited minutes. That will definitely be the case for Daniel Farke, who needs Bijol fit and firing for the relegation battle.
Indeed, the issue has already caused a battle on the Hungary side of things. Their manager has been in a battle of words with Liverpool manager Arne Slot over Dominik Szoboszlai.
Bijol, though, insists no such discussions have taken place about their minutes.
“We have nothing to discuss about that; that’s in the coach’s domain. He decides about those. We all came with the intention of playing. Nobody came to rest,” he said.
Circumstances haven’t helped Farke and any desire for the defender to be rested. Bijol has been made made Slovenia captain for this international break, increasing the likelihood of him appearing in both games.
International break sadness
This international break will be something of a sad one for the Leeds defender and his Slovenia teammates after they missed out on the World Cup and the playoffs.
They’ll be watching the latter like everyone else, and the 27-year-old admits that’s a bit disappointing.
“Yes, it was a little sad to watch all this, but on the other hand you’re happy for them.
“We all know at least a few representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina and they deserve it too. We all work for our goals; we try to make our dreams come true.”
Leeds United priorities
With the World Cup out of the picture, Jaka Bijol will perhaps turn his attention to keeping Leeds in the Premier League.
He’s found himself back in the picture of late after a slow start to life at Elland Road. And with Leeds currently 15th and just four points from the bottom three, they need everyone at their best.
Bijol, though, isn’t slowing down during this international break. He clearly intends to give his all, despite there not being anything serious on the line.
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