On Friday, Leeds United’s Jaka Bijol played for Slovenia in a World Cup qualifier against teammate Gabriel Gudmundsson and his Sweden side.
The two Leeds United summer signings went up against each other in Slovenia on Friday night, as the pair look to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
But there was nothing between the two sides in the end. Slovenia rescued a late draw as the game finished 2-2 with Leeds duo Jaka Bijol and Gabriel Gudmundsson both playing the full 90.
For Slovenia centre-half Bijol, it would’ve been a good run out after what’s been a tricky start to life at Leeds United, following his summer move from Udinese.
Leeds United paid around £15million to sign Bijol but the 26-year-old is yet to play in the Premier League. He made his debut in the Carabao Cup defeat against Sheffield Wednesday, but Bijol’s performance was met with some criticism.
Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty ImagesLeeds United’s Jaka Bijol endures difficult game vs Viktor Gyokeres
Sweden have one of the deadliest attacks in world football with Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak in their ranks. But Isak was an unused substitute on Friday, whilst Gyokeres played and grabbed an assist, with Newcastle United’s Anthony Elanga on the scoresheet for his country.
Slovenian outlet Ekipa gave their rating of Bijol’s display on the night, which they rated as a 6.5/10. Ekipa said of Bijol: “The Swedes’ second goal was a missed ball from him. Like Drkušić [the other centre-back], he had a lot to do with the excellent, fast and strong Swedish forwards.”
On the night, Bijol made the most defensive actions of any Slovenian player, whilst winning the third-most aerial duels too.
Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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Jaka Bijol speaks out on Leeds United start
Bijol still looks to be a very good signing for Daniel Farke, who simply has two very good centre-backs in Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk at his disposal. With Leeds having so far kept two clean sheets in the league too, there’s no need to mix things up just yet.
But Struijk is somewhat injury prone and so Bijol will definitely get his chance sooner or later. Speaking ahead of the Sweden game, Bijol spoke out on his move to Leeds United and his slow start, insisting that he’ll come good.
He said: “Two games on the bench is no big deal. I haven’t had a real chance to earn minutes at Leeds yet. Give me a little more time to show what I can do.”
Playing for Slovenia and going up against Gyokeres, who didn’t get on the scoresheet on Friday, will be great experience for Bijol, that will help get him ready for when he does eventually make his debut in the Premier League.