Leeds United rounded off their pre-season training camp in Germany with an excellent 2-0 win over Schalke on Saturday, but Daniel Farke was left frustrated with something Brenden Aaronson did.
Having already beaten League Two side Harrogate Town before flying to Germany, and then surpassing Hannover 96 4-1 in the first of two friendlies while in Germany, Leeds made it three wins from three.
But it was quite easily the hardest of the three games, with Schalke more than a match for The Whites in the first half of the affair. Indeed, Illan Meslier was called upon to make a couple of important saves.
In the second half, Leeds turned it on and Mateo Joseph opened the scoring with a header after good work from Jayden Bogle. Three goals in two for Joseph, two assists in two games for new signing Bogle.
Aaronson impresses after two good performances in Germany
USA star Aaronson is back at Leeds after a woeful first season in Yorkshire and then a rather indifferent season’s loan at Union Berlin. But Leeds’ new no.11 has caught the eye in the two friendlies in Germany.
Indeed, Aaronson has started both games and got the assist for Leeds’ first against Hannover. A super ball into Ilia Gruev to score and on Saturday, he starred as the American got more minutes under his belt.
No goals or assists, but even LUTV commentator Bryn Law noticed that he looks stronger, describing a moment in the first half as a “good sign” as he held off two Schalke players before making a pass.
Why Farke was frustrated with Aaronson in win v Schalke
The Yorkshire Evening Post do not report which moment it was, but they say that Aaronson failed to control a ball while moving forward after good hold-up play from in-form striker Joseph on Saturday.
In reaction to that moment, Farke vented his frustration at Aaronson for failing to pull off the move, to which Aaronson replied with a thumbs up to his manager as he and Farke get to grips with each other.
It must be remembered that Farke is now Aaronson’s fifth manager at Leeds after Jesse Marsch, Michael Skubala, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce. He might need time but his return to Leeds is a big bonus.
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