Leeds United wrapped up their Premier League preparations with a 6-2 victory over Serie B side Cagliari at Elland Road on Sunday.
Summer arrival Brenden Aaronson recorded three assists on the day while Rodrigo scored what should be a morale-boosting hat-trick.
Patrick Bamford grabbed a brace either side of their opponents’ two goals from Gianluca Lapadula and Zito Luvumbo while Robin Koch notched a six late on with a header.
However, despite getting his name on the scoresheet, the German centre-back was called out for his defending at the other end by Leeds Live reporter Beren Cross, who gave him a 5/10 match rating and made the following comment: “Not tested hugely, but looked like he was running through treacle when Zito Luvumbo got around him in the first half for the visitors’ only shot on target in that opening period. Was also caught out of position when the same player got in behind him for their second goal.”
TIF Thoughts on Koch and Leeds…
Does Koch start in a full-strength Leeds side?Yes
No
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While it might not have been his finest display in a white shirt, you would still expect the 26-year-old to be in the starting lineup come this weekend when Jesse Marsch’s side open up their Premier League campaign at home to Wolves.
He started all but four of the 21 league matches he was available for last season and emerged as Marsch’s first pick at the heart of the Yorkshire outfit’s backline.
The eight-cap German ace averaged 1.1 tackles and 2.1 clearances per game last term in the top flight (SofaScore), and even though those numbers pale in comparison to Liam Cooper, given the captain’s lingering Achilles injury, it looks like it will be Koch’s place to lose this year.