WE DESERVED A DRAW – UWE ON HOFFENHEIM

WE DESERVED A DRAW – UWE ON HOFFENHEIM

Head coach gives his verdict on Saturday’s 2-1 defeat in Norway...

Uwe Rosler was full of praise for United’s display despite seeing his side suffer a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Hoffenheim on Saturday afternoon in Norway.

United had fallen behind after just two minutes in Lillestrom, with Mark Uth’s unstoppable effort leaving those inside the Arasen Stadion stunned as it sailed into the top corner.

But Rosler’s men responded well and pulled level on 25 minutes courtesy of Tom Adeyemi’s first goal in Leeds colours.

Second-half substitute Steven Zuber managed to clinch the victory for Hoffenheim, converting a cross from close-range, but Rosler still drew plenty of positives from the pre-season tour’s closing game.

“I thought the first 45 minutes were excellent,” he said. “We camped in their half – against tough opposition from the Bundesliga.

“We looked very strong physically and sharp. We pressed them high and they didn’t come out of their half.

“We looked dangerous from set-pieces and we looked dangerous from open play. We had lots of chances – I’m very happy.

“I praised the players a lot at half-time – probably a little bit too much – due to the fact that we were at the end of a hard week.

“We couldn’t have kept that level up in the second half but we still had two or three very good chances.

“It was just a couple of square passes where there would have been a tap-in – there was one for Souleymane and one for Morro. Mirco had a good chance too.

“We should have got a draw – I think a draw would have been a fair result considering both halves.”

Lewis Cook was forced off through injury after just 15 minutes of the game in Norway, but Rosler confirmed that removing him was purely precautionary.

“He is fine,” the head coach said. “He got a kick on his toe and we took him off – it was just a precaution.

“We didn’t want to risk anything two weeks before the season starts. Kal came on and was terrific in the first half.” 

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