Rodrigo laments failure to bury Southampton as Leeds United learn harsh Premier League lesson

Thriving forward Rodrigo admitted Leeds United paid the price for not being ‘online’ for the full 95 minutes in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Southampton having done “everything” to win the game.
By Lee Sobot
Published 14th Aug 2022, 16:55 BST

Rodrigo’s brace had Jesse Marsch’s side 2-0 up by the hour mark at St Mary’s but Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side rallied to secure a point via strikes from Joe Aribo and Kyle Walker-Peters inside the final 18 minutes.

Leeds still remain unbeaten for the new Premier League campaign on four points following the opening weekend 2-1 win at home to Wolves, but Rodrigo admits his side only have themselves to blame for not having a maximum return.

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“Of course we are really disappointed with the result,” said Rodrigo.

Sad: Leeds United's Rodrigo Moreno appears dejected at the full-time whistle (Picture: Adam Davy/PA)Sad: Leeds United's Rodrigo Moreno appears dejected at the full-time whistle (Picture: Adam Davy/PA)
Sad: Leeds United's Rodrigo Moreno appears dejected at the full-time whistle (Picture: Adam Davy/PA)

“We should finish the game better and I think we did everything to leave with three points.

“I think the team did a great job apart from the last ten or 15 minutes when we allowed them to react and that’s the level of the league.

“When you are asleep a little bit, the other team has quality as well and we are really, really disappointed with the result.”

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Asked if he thought the game was almost won after scoring his and United’s second goal, the record signing admitted: “Of course. We already know the level of the league.

Happy: Rodrigo celebrates his second goal that put them 2-0 up. (Picture: Adam Davy/PA)Happy: Rodrigo celebrates his second goal that put them 2-0 up. (Picture: Adam Davy/PA)
Happy: Rodrigo celebrates his second goal that put them 2-0 up. (Picture: Adam Davy/PA)

“You have to be online for the 95 minutes that the game is going on and then we concede this 10 or 15 minutes and we were punished for it.

“It’s true that we are disappointed but now we have to digest this result and start working again for the next weekend.

“That’s football.”

Related topics:SouthamptonPremier LeagueRalph HasenhuttlJoe Aribo

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