Daniel Farke cut a frustrated figure after Leeds United suffered a 1-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers, with the result marking their third loss of the Championship season. The German manager had an intense exchange with Blackburn midfielder Bradley Travis following the final whistle, but the confrontation was eventually diffused, and the two shared a hug. Farke also took the opportunity to speak with the match officials, expressing his disappointment with his team’s performance, despite acknowledging they were far from perfect.
The key moment of the match came in the 22nd minute, when Todd Cantwell’s penalty gave Blackburn the lead. Leeds struggled to break down their hosts in the first half, and though they improved after the break, they couldn’t find an equalizer. Largie Ramazani’s late goal was ruled offside, and the visitors were left to reflect on a missed opportunity to regain top spot in the league. Instead, Leeds will head into December three points behind the leaders.
Reflecting on the game, Farke pointed to his team’s sluggish start as the main reason for their defeat. He felt Leeds allowed Blackburn to dictate the pace early on, conceding unnecessary free-kicks and failing to compete in crucial duels. While he stopped short of being overly critical, Farke admitted that his players lacked sharpness and intensity in the opening half. The fixture schedule also played a role in his frustration, as Leeds were playing their third match in six days, while Blackburn had a more manageable schedule, having only played twice in the same period. Farke was clearly disappointed with the slow start and the physical toll the congested fixture list had taken on his squad.
