Leeds United ratings vs Nottingham Forest as Jaka Bijol excels and Anton Stach clinches win | OneFootball

Leeds United opened their 2026/27 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, settled by another precise Anton Stach free-kick. In an otherwise even contest, the midfielder’s set-piece touch proved decisive.

Harry Wilson thought he had the opener on 26 minutes, turning in Jayden Bogle’s cross, but the flag cut short celebrations. Forest created the clearer chances before the break. James Trafford clawed away a powerful header on 17 minutes, then another header clipped the post five minutes before half-time.

On 66 minutes, substitute Chris Wood dragged wide after nipping in ahead of Jaka Bijol on the edge of the box. Soon after, Tarik Muharemovic looped a header towards the far corner, Matz Sels saving smartly. Stach had been loose, but he won his own free-kick and drilled past Sels to win it.

Bijol impressed at the back, repeatedly intercepting under pressure. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson earned eight, with Trafford on seven after that standout save despite a couple of hesitant aerial moments. Bogle, Joe Rodon, Muharemovic, Ethan Ampadu, Wilson and Stach were all given seven, while James Justin struggled and received five.

Noah Okafor made an industrious impact for Wilson on 66 minutes, meriting seven, though one counter broke down with a heavy touch. Sean Longstaff entered on 82 for Aaronson and was not rated. Manager Daniel Farke was marked eight, pleased with the early pressure yet cautious as Forest threatened, his restrained changes ultimately justified.

Source: Leeds Live

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