Marcelo Bielsa has played down the disagreement between Pablo Hernandez and Kemar Roofe when Leeds United were awarded a penalty against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Leeds had waited almost 60 games to be awarded a penalty, but on Saturday, following a Toni Leistner handball, the club’s luck had finally changed.
Hernandez was the player to last take a penalty for the Whites, which was missed against Reading in 2017, with the Spaniard and Roofe visibly squabbling over who would take the spot-kick.
Roofe eventually overruled his captain, with the 25-year-old converting what was his second goal of the game to put Leeds 2-1 ahead.
Following on from the argument, Bielsa was quizzed on the slight issue, with the 63-year-old telling the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I saw them exchange words.
"If you take into account the fact that it’s a long time since we last had a penalty, it’s a good thing to see that more than one player wanted to take responsibility.”
Roofe’s penalty proved to be Leeds’ winner, as they edged to a 2-1 victory over the R’s.
Leeds have now won their last four fixtures and are firmly in the race for promotion ahead of the festive period.
Next up is a clash with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
The Verdict
Bielsa has defused any issues here with a very sensible answer.
Of course, things might’ve been different had Roofe missed, but Bielsa has instead praised the bravery of his players to want to take a crucial penalty.
You’d imagine that Roofe now has the responsibility.
Thoughts? Let us know!