'More than a win' - Barnsley FC boss Daniel Stendel enthused by 'fight' in Leicester City draw
Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel has reflected on his side’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City
Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel claimed his side’s passion in their 1-1 draw with Leicester City was worth “more than a win”.
The hosts had to play with 10 men for over an hour against a Leicester side generously sprinkled with star quality.
Liam Cullen fired the Foxes ahead and the Reds lost Luca Connell to a red card in a difficult first half. However, Reyes Cleary put Barnsley back on level terms and they then showed a remarkable defensive resolve to hold on.
Although they did not claim three points, Stendel’s players produced the reaction he wanted after back-to-back league defeats.
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Daniel Stendel’s pride
Stendel said: “I’m very proud. I said to the players, this fight, this passion, this mentality, it's earned for me more than a win today.
“It was a reaction that we needed after the last three games. We worked hard and we played against, in my opinion, the best team in possession in this league, with one player less, 75-80 minutes, and we delivered a fight on the pitch, every ball.
“And I don't want to say it so much, because they have also some really good situations to score, but it doesn't matter. Everybody was tired - especially with PK (Patrick Kelly), who five minutes before the game finished had a big chance to do the big win. But I think the draw is really positive for us.
“The basics in football are fighting, defending, try to win, take your body in, bring passion on the pitch - and this is what my team did today.”
Reyes Cleary’s equaliser
Cleary popped with yet another moment of magic, further evidencing why he has so many admirers across the EFL.
The 22-year-old winger served up a dazzling display but Stendel was keen to focus on the team effort required to frustrate the Foxes.
He said: “I think it was a really, really good goal, but I want to say for everybody it was teamwork.
“[It was] a team performance, and we give him the chance to score, he did it really well and we know what he has for quality, but it was a really good team performance and this is the product from everybody today.”