Farke explains Piroe benching as Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha earn no nine minutes vs Leipzig | OneFootball

Daniel Farke has explained why Joel Piroe stayed on the bench for Leeds United’s 120-minute friendly with RB Leipzig. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, he prioritised a full hour for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, then minutes for Lukas Nmecha in the no nine role.

Calvert-Lewin, back from a small pre-season setback, started the first 60 and opened the scoring as Leeds won that period 1-0. He was replaced by Nmecha for the second 60, the substitute also scoring in another 1-0 success to seal a 2-0 overall win.

Piroe, the Championship Golden Boot winner in promotion, has had limited top-flight minutes, recording two Premier League starts last season. He began the summer against Wrexham while Calvert-Lewin sat out, but his involvement has since decreased and he was the only senior player unused against Leipzig.

Farke said Calvert-Lewin had missed the first part of pre-season and needed 60 minutes. He added that Nmecha is in good shape and slightly ahead of Piroe at centre forward, and stressed there is no injury concern over Piroe, who has trained fully and professionally.

He accepted the decision would be tough on Piroe, but said pre-season demands proper chunks of game time rather than split 30s. Farke noted such calls are part of Leeds’ second season back in the Premier League.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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