'This one hurts' - Pascal Struijk issues message after Leeds United's FA Cup heartbreak against Chelsea
Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk issues social media message after FA Cup loss to Chelsea
Pascal Struijk has referenced the “hurt” of Leeds United’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea in a social media message.
The 26-year-old completed 90 minutes under the Wembley arch yesterday (April 26) as the Whites were beaten 1-0.
It was a tough afternoon for the defender, who did not cover himself in glory in the build-up to Enzo Fernandez’s decisive goal.
The defender failed to emphatically win a duel with Pedro Neto and then had his pocket picked by Joao Pedro, who released Neto and allowed him to deliver for Fernandez.
Pascal Struijk’s message
Via Instagram, Struijk said: “This one hurts. Full focus on the Prem now. Thanks for the amazing support all.”
Struijk has been among Leeds’ strongest performers of late and will need to quickly put the disappointment behind him.
He looks set to play a key role across Leeds’ final four games, during which the Whites will be hoping to move further away from the relegation zone.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor’s brief statements
Struijk is not the only player to have issued a brief statement via social media in the aftermath of Leeds’ loss in the capital.
Frontman Dominic Calvert-Lewin said: “Today wasn’t our day, but I’m so proud of how far we’ve come and to represent this club. Thank you for the amazing support as always. MOT.”
Fellow attacker Noah Okafor, meanwhile, said: “Not the result we wanted, but thanks for the unbelievable support. Will focus on the last four games.”
Wembley nerves
Leeds started slowly against the Blues, crawling out of the traps in an alarmingly sluggish manner. Whites boss Daniel Farke suggested nerves may have played a part.
He said: "It was a bit unnecessary. We had losses of the ball in possession. We were sometimes even a bit clumsy in the build-up, and you could tell that players were perhaps a bit nervous.
"So much was made of this game and it's not that these players are used to playing in front of 90,000 at Champions League level once a week. Perhaps they were a bit too nervous to be at their very best level.”