Leeds United pair James Justin and Anton Stach with Augsburg crest in a circular inset

James Justin, Anton Stach and Augsburg crestImago/Augsburg on X

Anton Stach shines as James Justin solves Daniel Farke issue - Leeds United player ratings vs Augsburg

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with editorial experience at Football League World. FOCUS Statistical analysis and long-form opinion across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT James utilises data and a network of club contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis. He provides the statistical depth and editorial judgment behind the stories to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

15 Aug 2026, 3:57 pm

Leeds United finished their pre-season campaign with a 4-0 win over Augsburg.

Daniel Farke named a side that could be his starting XI for their opening Premier League game against Nottingham Forest.

James Trafford was handed his Elland Road debut after his record-breaking move from Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Wilfried Gnonto was a surprise absence from the matchday squad against Augsburg, missing out due to an injury he picked up against Manchester United.

Anton Stach opened the scoring for Leeds after just one minute, before Tarik Muharemovic, James Justin and Lukas Nmecha also found the net.

It was a fantastic way for the Whites to wrap up pre-season, and MOT Leeds News has rated every performance out of 10.

Anton Stach gives Daniel Farke selection headache vs Augsburg

Stach hasn't played a starring role for Leeds in pre-season, with Sean Longstaff excelling in the Whites midfield.

With Ethan Ampadu still one of the first names on the teamsheet, one of the big topics of debate has centred around whether Stach or Longstaff would win the starting job alongside him.

It's the former who appears to have taken a big step towards ending that discussion on Saturday, after a strong display at Elland Road.

The German fired Leeds into the lead inside the opening 60 seconds, which is sure to have immediately caught the eye of Farke.

He then almost had his second after 15 minutes, but saw his effort denied by the leg of Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen.

👌 The goal that got us going! pic.twitter.com/iQSna4CfBS
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 15, 2026

Stach's razor-sharp performance will now make him very tough for Farke to drop against Nottingham Forest.

But whilst the German may have given the Leeds boss a new selection headache, one Whites defender has eased another.

Why Jurgen Klopp has given Leeds United's Anton Stach the news he was waiting for

Why Gabriel Gudmundsson doesn't need to be rushed back from injury

One of the big problems facing Farke heading into the new Premier League season revolves around the fitness of star left wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson.

The Swede suffered a suspected hamstring injury against Liverpool, and is expected to miss the first couple of weeks of the campaign.

In terms of natural left-sided depth, Farke doesn't really have another senior star he can call upon to fill that void.

But in Justin's performance against Augsburg, the 28-year-old has proven he's more than capable of holding down the fort.

DCL 🔗 JJ pic.twitter.com/4zkCnI3by1
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 15, 2026

The versatile defender connected wonderfully with Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the edge of the Augsburg box, before passing the ball into the corner of the net for 3-0.

He looked totally at home on the left, and with Gnonto absent through injury, has now surely cemented himself as the starter here for Forest.